The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob in black, aimed at cooks who want traditional flame control wrapped in classic styling. With four burners, solid cast iron pan supports and a powerful wok burner, it’s designed as a dependable workhorse for busy family kitchens.
Smeg sits firmly in the premium camp, and this hob follows that approach: the focus is on robust build quality and timeless looks rather than flashy extras. At this price it’s not a budget buy, but owners clearly feel they’re getting what they pay for – it holds a strong 4.8 out of 5 rating from user reviews, suggesting most people are very happy with both performance and finish.
If you like the idea of a traditional gas hob that feels substantial, with simple rotary controls instead of touch panels, the SR964NGH positions itself as a stylish, long-term choice.
This hob is ideal for households that cook most days and want a dependable, good-looking gas top rather than the cheapest option. The four burners and compact 60cm width make it a natural fit for standard UK kitchens, including flats and smaller homes where worktop space is at a premium.
It suits confident home cooks who enjoy pan work – the inclusion of an ultra-rapid wok burner is a clear nod to stir-fries, searing and quick one-pan meals. If you like to have a large pan on the go alongside a couple of smaller pots, the mix of three burner sizes gives you enough flexibility without overcomplicating things.
Budget-wise, this is best suited to buyers prepared to pay a bit more for design and build. You’re paying for the Smeg name, enamel surface and heavy cast iron supports rather than advanced smart features. First-time buyers and renovators who want a long-lasting, traditional hob that will still look the part in a few years’ time are a strong match.
If you rarely cook or just reheat the odd meal, you may not fully use the wok burner or appreciate the premium finish – a more basic gas hob may make more sense for occasional use.
The standout feature here is the ultra-rapid wok burner, which delivers quick, intense heat for stir-fries, boiling large pots of water or searing meat. It’s a genuine upgrade over four identically sized burners and makes everyday cooking feel faster and more responsive.
The cast iron pan supports give the hob a solid, professional feel. They’re much sturdier than lightweight enamel grates, helping pans sit securely and cope better with heavy cookware like cast iron casseroles.
Automatic ignition on the rotary dials means one-handed lighting – no fiddling with separate ignition buttons or matches. Combined with front-mounted controls, it’s very straightforward to operate, even for less experienced cooks.
Safety is well covered with flame failure devices and automatic safety shut-off. If a flame goes out, the gas supply is cut, which is reassuring in busy family kitchens.
The hob is also LPG compatible, with a conversion kit included. That’s a big plus for homes running on bottled gas or in rural locations where mains gas isn’t available.
For the price, the feature set is quite traditional. There’s no timer, control panel lock or clever extras like automatic simmer functions or digital displays, which some similarly priced hobs now offer.
The enamel surface, while classic and in keeping with the Victoria styling, can mark and scratch more easily than some modern glass or stainless steel tops if not looked after carefully. Cleaning around the pan supports and burners will take a bit of effort.
Front-mounted rotary controls are easy to reach, but they can also be more vulnerable to spills and knocks from large pans. There’s no child lock, so households with very young children may need to be extra cautious.
Finally, the standard two-year warranty is decent but not outstanding at this price point, where some rivals stretch to longer cover for peace of mind.
Living with the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH should feel familiar from day one. The front-mounted rotary dials are chunky and clearly laid out, so adjusting the flame is intuitive. Automatic ignition built into the controls means you simply press and turn to get going.
The 60cm width and low 3cm profile help it sit neatly into a standard cut-out, so it won’t dominate smaller worktops. Despite this compact footprint, the mix of three burner sizes keeps pots well spaced, reducing the chance of handles clashing on busy evenings.
Those heavy cast iron supports add weight and stability when you’re moving pans around, which is especially welcome when using the wok burner. They lift off for cleaning, and while that does mean more pieces to handle, the trade-off is a very secure cooking surface.
Safety features operate quietly in the background. The flame failure device and automatic safety shut off don’t change how you cook, but they add a reassuring layer of protection if a pan boils over and extinguishes the flame.
Installation does require both an electrician to attach the plug or cable and a Gas Safe engineer to connect the gas supply, so it’s not one for DIY. Once fitted, though, daily operation is as simple as it gets.
Performance centres around four gas burners with a power range from 1.05 kW up to a punchy 3.3 kW. The ultra-rapid burner handles big jobs with ease – think rapid boiling, wok cooking and high-heat frying – while the smaller burners are better for simmering sauces or gently heating milk without scorching.
The hob surface is finished in black enamel, which ties in nicely with the Victoria range’s retro styling. Enamel is a tried-and-tested choice for gas hobs, offering good heat resistance and a traditional look. It may need a bit more care to keep pristine compared with some modern glass ceramics, but it’s tough and tolerant of everyday use.
Cast iron pan supports span the burners, creating a stable, continuous platform. This makes it easier to slide pans from one burner to another without lifting, a small but welcome touch when juggling multiple dishes. They also help the hob feel more premium than models with lighter, individual supports.
In terms of safety and core features, the SR964NGH covers the essentials: automatic ignition, flame failure safety devices, and automatic safety shut-off. There’s no timer or touch controls, but for many cooks, that simplicity is a plus – fewer things to go wrong and a more tactile, responsive feel.
Flexibility is boosted by LPG compatibility, with the conversion kit already in the box. Whether you’re on mains gas or bottled, the hob can be set up to suit, which is particularly handy for rural homes or properties with more complex fuel arrangements.
At around £399, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH sits in the premium end of the 60cm gas hob market. You can certainly find cheaper four-burner options, but few will match the combination of Smeg styling, solid cast iron supports and a dedicated ultra-rapid wok burner.
Where some rivals at this price lean on extra tech like touch controls or timers, Smeg has focused on build, safety and a strong, traditional cooking experience. If you prioritise looks and long-term sturdiness over bells and whistles, that’s a good trade.
The high user rating of 4.8 out of 5 from a solid number of reviews suggests owners feel they’ve had fair value. Reliability, ease of use and performance appear to justify the price for most buyers.
If your budget is tight or you don’t care about brand and aesthetics, you could save money with a more basic hob. But for those upgrading a kitchen or matching other Smeg Victoria appliances, the SR964NGH offers credible value as a premium-feeling centrepiece.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a stylish, well-built 60cm gas hob that prioritises classic design and solid performance over cutting-edge features. With its powerful wok burner, sturdy cast iron supports and straightforward rotary controls, it delivers exactly what most home cooks need, and does it with a touch of vintage charm.
It isn’t the most feature-packed hob for the money, and the enamel surface will reward careful cleaning. The lack of timer and child lock may also be a consideration for some families. However, strong owner ratings, comprehensive safety features and LPG flexibility make it an appealing, confidence-inspiring choice.
If you’re upgrading a kitchen, love traditional gas cooking and want something that feels substantial and looks smart in black, the SR964NGH is easy to recommend. Those on a strict budget or seeking more high-tech controls might prefer to look elsewhere, but for a premium-feeling, dependable gas hob, it hits the mark.
