Home » Product Reviews » Smeg Victoria SR964NGH 60cm Gas Hob review
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob with four burners, finished in a glossy black enamel that’s designed to complement traditional and modern kitchens alike. As part of Smeg’s Victoria range, it leans towards a classic, slightly retro look rather than ultra-minimalist glass.
With sturdy cast iron pan supports, automatic ignition and a powerful wok burner, it’s clearly aimed at households that enjoy proper hob cooking rather than just boiling the odd pan of pasta. The layout is straightforward and the controls are front-mounted rotary dials, so there’s no touch-controls to get used to.
Owners rate it very highly, with an impressive 4.8 out of 5 from user reviews, suggesting that it not only looks the part but also performs consistently well in everyday use.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH suits small to medium-sized households who cook regularly and want a reliable, traditional gas hob with a touch of premium style. With four burners and three different burner sizes, it covers most day-to-day cooking, from simmering sauces to searing steaks.
It’s a good choice if you like stir-fries or wok cooking, thanks to the ultra-rapid burner that delivers quick, intense heat. Anyone who prefers visible flame control and instant response over electric or induction will feel at home here.
This hob is best seen as a mid to upper mid-range option: not the cheapest way to get a 60cm gas hob, but you’re paying for Smeg design, solid cast iron supports and Italian build. It will particularly appeal if you’re updating a kitchen with other Smeg or Victoria range appliances.
First-time buyers who just want something basic on a tight budget might find it a bit of a stretch. But if you cook most days and want a hob that feels robust and looks smart for years, it fits the bill nicely.
The standout feature is the dedicated wok/ultra-rapid burner, which delivers up to 3.3 kW of heat. That means fast boiling times and proper searing, which many basic 4-burner hobs struggle to match.
Cast iron pan supports give the hob a solid, professional feel and help keep pans stable, even when you’re using heavier cookware. They’re also more durable than lightweight enamel or wire supports often found on cheaper models.
Automatic ignition on all burners makes lighting quick and convenient – just turn the rotary dial and the flame sparks up, with no need for matches or a separate ignition button.
Safety is well covered with flame failure devices and automatic safety shut off, cutting the gas if the flame goes out. For a busy family kitchen, that’s a reassuring extra layer of protection.
Finally, the low 3cm profile and 60cm width mean it slots neatly into standard cut-outs, while the black enamel and Victoria styling offer a coordinated look if you’re building a Smeg-themed kitchen.
There’s no built-in timer or control panel lock, so you’ll need to rely on a separate kitchen timer and be a little more watchful if you have curious children around the hob.
The enamel surface, while attractive, generally needs a bit more care to keep looking pristine compared with some glass or stainless steel designs; spills left to bake on can take more effort to remove.
For the price bracket this hob sits in, some buyers might expect additional touches such as more advanced controls or flexible burner arrangements. This model keeps things quite traditional, which is fine if that’s what you want, but it won’t appeal to those looking for high-tech features.
Installation requires both an electrician (to attach the plug or cable) and a Gas Safe engineer, and the gas hose is not included, so there may be extra setup costs if you’re starting from scratch.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is straightforward and reassuringly familiar to use. Front-mounted rotary dials are clearly laid out, so choosing the right burner and adjusting the flame is instinctive, even if you’re upgrading from an older hob.
Automatic ignition means you simply turn and press the knob to light the flame, which is especially handy when you’re juggling multiple pans. The range of burner sizes – from gentle simmer to ultra-rapid – makes it easy to match the burner to the pan so you’re not wasting heat or time.
The cast iron pan supports create a continuous, level surface for moving pans around, which feels solid and secure. They are on the heavier side, so lifting them off for cleaning takes a bit more effort, but it’s a trade-off for their durability and stability.
Cleaning the black enamel top is manageable with regular wiping; spills show up clearly, which encourages you to deal with them quickly before they mark. With a low-profile 3cm height, it sits almost flush with the worktop, giving a neat, built-in look that still feels easy to reach and control.
In performance terms, this hob is all about dependable gas power with a useful spread of heat outputs. The burner power range from 1.05 kW up to 3.3 kW covers delicate simmering, regular everyday cooking and high-heat tasks, all on a compact 60cm footprint.
The ultra-rapid burner doubles as a wok burner, giving you that quick, intense heat needed for stir-fries, fast boiling and searing meat. Many standard 4-burner hobs top out at lower power levels, so this is a real plus if you like cooking with larger pans or want to cut down waiting time.
Enamelled surface and cast iron pan supports combine practicality with a classic aesthetic. The supports keep pans in place securely and cope well with heavy cookware, while the enamel finish gives a smooth, uniform look across the hob. It’s not a bells-and-whistles feature set, but everything present is well chosen for daily cooking.
On the safety side, the hob includes a flame failure safety device and automatic safety shut off. If a pan boils over or a gust of air extinguishes the flame, the gas supply is cut, which can help prevent gas build-up – an important reassurance in any home.
For flexibility, it’s LPG compatible and convertible, with a kit included. That means it’s suitable for homes without mains gas, provided installation is done correctly, making it a practical option for rural properties or holiday homes.
At around £379, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH sits in the mid to upper part of the 60cm gas hob market. You can certainly find cheaper four-burner models, but they often lack the combination of design, solid construction and high-output burner you get here.
The 4.8 out of 5 user rating indicates that owners generally feel they’ve had good value, with few disappointments in everyday use. You’re paying a premium over entry-level hobs mainly for the Smeg brand, the Victoria styling, cast iron supports and the powerful wok burner.
If you’re simply after the lowest-cost way to cook on gas, this will seem expensive. However, if you want a hob that feels substantial, looks smart in a fitted kitchen and offers strong performance with decent safety features, the price is easier to justify.
The two-year manufacturer warranty is standard rather than standout at this price point, but still provides a reasonable level of reassurance.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a well-executed 60cm gas hob that blends classic styling with strong, everyday performance. The ultra-rapid wok burner, solid cast iron pan supports and simple rotary controls make it a pleasure to cook on, particularly if you like visible, responsive heat.
It isn’t packed with high-tech features, and you don’t get extras like a timer or child lock, so buyers chasing the latest gadgetry may want to look elsewhere. But that’s not really its aim; this model focuses on doing the basics very well, wrapped in an attractive, traditional design.
If you’re upgrading a busy family kitchen or finishing off a Smeg-inspired cooking space and are happy to pay a little more for style and build quality, this hob is a very strong contender. For tight budgets or those who rarely cook, a cheaper, more basic hob will make more sense, but for regular home cooks it earns its place on the worktop.