Home » Product Reviews » Smeg Victoria SR964NGH 60cm Gas Hob review
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob with four burners and traditional rotary controls, finished in a smart black enamel. It pairs Smeg’s retro-inspired Victoria styling with everyday practicality, aiming squarely at households that want something smarter than a basic stainless-steel hob.
With sturdy cast iron pan supports, automatic ignition and a dedicated wok burner, it’s built for home cooks who like the responsiveness of gas. A strong user rating of 4.8 out of 5 from owners suggests that, in real kitchens, it delivers on both looks and performance.
This is not the cheapest 60cm gas hob on the market, but it positions itself as a premium, design-led option with a reassuring two-year manufacturer warranty.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is ideal for style-conscious buyers who want a gas hob that looks as good as their range cooker or traditional kitchen. If you’re updating a Shaker or period-style kitchen and don’t want a plain stainless hob spoiling the look, the black enamel finish and Victoria detailing will fit in perfectly.
It suits small to medium-sized households who cook most days and want four well-spaced burners, including a powerful wok zone for quick stir-fries or large pans. The burner power range from 1.05 to 3.3 kW covers everything from gentle simmering to rapid boiling.
Given the brand and feature set, it’s best seen as a mid-to-premium choice rather than a budget option. It will appeal to confident home cooks who value solid build quality and good flame control more than lots of digital features.
If you rarely cook, or you’d prefer touch controls, timers and built-in child locks, a more modern glass or induction hob might be a better fit. But for gas traditionalists who want a reliable, good-looking workhorse, this Smeg is right on target.
The standout feature is the dedicated wok burner, delivering quick, intense heat that’s perfect for stir-fries, searing meat or bringing large pots of water to the boil much faster than a standard burner.
Cast iron pan supports give the hob a solid, professional feel. They’re sturdy and durable, providing a stable base for everything from small saucepans to heavy casserole dishes.
Automatic ignition and simple front-mounted rotary dials make it very straightforward to use. You can turn on each burner with one hand, and the flame is instantly adjustable for precise control.
Safety is well covered thanks to flame failure devices and automatic safety shut off, which cut the gas if the flame goes out. That’s reassuring in busy family kitchens.
The hob is also LPG compatible and convertible with the included kit, making it a flexible choice for homes not on mains gas or for installation in holiday properties and annexes.
There’s no timer or control panel lock, so you don’t get the extra safety or convenience that some more modern gas and induction hobs offer, particularly useful around curious children.
The surface is enamel rather than glass or stainless steel, which looks traditional but may show marks and require more regular cleaning to keep it pristine.
For the price, some buyers might expect extra frills such as dedicated simmer burners, a fifth zone, or more advanced controls. This model keeps things fairly simple.
Finally, the two-year warranty is decent but not exceptional in a premium-leaning brand; some rivals now offer longer cover on built-in cooking appliances.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is designed to be a straightforward, no-fuss hob. The four burners are laid out sensibly on the 59.5cm-wide surface, so you can comfortably use multiple pans at once without feeling too cramped, which is important in a standard 60cm cut-out.
Front-mounted rotary controls are easy to see and reach without leaning over hot pans. Automatic ignition means you simply push and turn and the burner lights, with no need for separate ignition buttons or matches.
The cast iron pan supports create a continuous, level surface, so sliding pans between burners feels secure. They’re weighty and stable, which is confidence-inspiring when you’re handling heavy pots or a loaded wok.
Cleaning is the main area where you’ll need a little care. The enamel surface can be wiped down easily, but like most gas hobs it will need the pan supports lifting off to clean underneath. Regular wiping after use will help keep the black finish looking sharp.
Installation requires both an electrician to attach a suitable plug or cable and a Gas Safe registered engineer to connect the gas, which is standard for built-in gas hobs but something to budget for if you’re replacing an older appliance.
Performance-wise, this hob focuses on delivering strong, controllable gas power. The burners span from 1.05 kW for low, gentle heat up to 3.3 kW on the ultra-rapid wok burner. That spread covers everything from slow simmering sauces and melting chocolate to fast boiling pasta water or achieving the high heat needed for proper stir-frying.
The dedicated wok burner is a genuine asset. Positioned to take a round-bottomed wok or wide frying pan, it creates an intense, concentrated flame pattern that gets cookware hot quickly and keeps it there, helping food stay crisp rather than stewing.
Safety features are well thought through. Flame failure devices monitor each burner and shut off the gas if the flame goes out, reducing the risk of gas leaks from draughts or boil-overs. There’s also automatic safety shut off for added peace of mind.
In terms of construction, the enamel surface and cast iron pan supports give the hob a solid feel under heavy cookware. The pan supports are designed for durability and stability rather than being ultra-light, which many home cooks will appreciate.
Feature-wise, it remains traditional: there are no digital displays, timers or touch controls. Instead, you get tried-and-tested rotary dials and automatic ignition. For some, that simplicity is a plus, reducing the likelihood of electronic failures and making the hob very intuitive, even for guests or less tech-confident family members.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH sits at the more premium end of the 60cm gas hob market, reflecting Smeg’s design-led approach and solid build quality. You can find cheaper 4-burner hobs with similar basic burner layouts, but they often lack the same aesthetic appeal and heavy-duty pan supports.
The inclusion of a powerful wok burner, flame failure safety devices, LPG conversion kit and automatic safety shut off means you are paying for more than just looks. These features, combined with a two-year warranty and Italian manufacture, help justify the higher price.
Owner feedback is very positive, with a 4.8 out of 5 rating from a solid number of reviews, which suggests that buyers generally feel they’ve had good value from their purchase.
If you simply want the least expensive gas hob, this won’t be the right choice. But if you want a stylish, well-built hob that complements a premium kitchen and you’ll make regular use of the wok burner, it offers good value within the design-focused segment of the market.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a stylish, well-made 60cm gas hob that combines classic looks with a practical, cook-friendly layout. Its powerful wok burner, solid cast iron supports and straightforward rotary controls make it a pleasure to cook on for everyday meals and more ambitious dishes alike.
It’s not packed with advanced electronics, and the lack of timer or control lock may put off those who want every modern safety and convenience feature. The enamel surface also demands a bit of regular care to keep it looking its best.
For homeowners updating a traditional or premium kitchen, and for keen home cooks who value responsive gas performance, this hob is a strong choice. If you are on a tight budget or prefer ultra-modern touch controls and built-in timers, there are more high-tech or cheaper alternatives – but they may not match the Victoria’s blend of character, build quality and owner satisfaction.