Home » Product Reviews » Smeg Victoria SR964NGH 60cm Gas Hob review
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob in black, aimed at anyone who wants traditional gas cooking with a smart, classic look. With four burners, chunky cast iron pan supports and a powerful wok zone, it’s designed to handle everything from weekday pasta to weekend stir-fries.
Smeg is firmly in the premium camp, and this model follows that pattern: it’s not the cheapest 60cm gas hob, but it focuses on build quality and style rather than gimmicks. Automatic ignition, front-mounted rotary dials and built-in safety features keep day-to-day use straightforward.
Owners rate it very highly, with an excellent 4.8 out of 5 from a solid number of reviews, suggesting it not only looks the part but also performs reliably in real kitchens.
This hob suits households that cook most days and want a reliable, good-looking centrepiece rather than a purely budget option. If you like the idea of a traditional gas flame with more character than a plain steel hob, the Victoria styling in black will fit nicely into both country-style and modern kitchens.
With four burners and three different burner sizes, it’s ideal for small to medium families who regularly have a couple of pans on the go and occasionally need all four zones at once. The inclusion of an ultra-rapid wok burner makes it especially appealing if you enjoy stir-fries, searing meat quickly or boiling large pans of water.
The price places it in the mid-to-premium bracket for 60cm gas hobs, so it’s best for buyers who are happy to pay a bit more for sturdier cast iron supports, Italian build and a more considered design. If you’re fitting out a rental on a shoestring, there are cheaper, more basic options.
It’s also a good choice for less techy users. There are no digital displays or touch controls to learn – just simple rotary dials with automatic ignition and built-in flame failure safety, making it friendly for everyone from confident home cooks to more traditional users.
The powerful wok burner is a real highlight, delivering quick, intense heat that makes stir-frying, searing and rapid boiling noticeably faster than on standard burners.
Sturdy cast iron pan supports give the hob a solid, professional feel. They hold pans securely, minimise wobble and cope well with heavier cookware such as cast iron casseroles.
Automatic ignition on the rotary dials makes getting started simple – you just turn and the burner lights, with no need for matches or separate spark buttons.
Safety is well covered with automatic safety shut-off and flame failure devices, which cut the gas if the flame goes out. That’s reassuring in busy family kitchens.
The 60cm width and low 3cm height mean it slots neatly into standard worktops, and the classic black enamel finish ties in well with other Smeg Victoria appliances for a coordinated look.
There’s no built-in timer or control panel lock, so you’ll need to rely on an external timer and be a little more mindful in homes with small children.
The enamel surface looks smart but can show marks if spills are left to bake on; it may need a bit more care than some stainless or glass alternatives to keep it looking pristine.
At this price, some buyers might expect extra touches such as more advanced controls or additional flexible burner layouts, which this model doesn’t offer – it focuses on straightforward gas cooking instead.
Installation requires both an electrician (for the ignition wiring) and a Gas Safe engineer, and the gas hose is not included, so you’ll need to factor that into the overall cost.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH feels very straightforward. The front-mounted rotary dials are easy to see and reach, so you’re not stretching over hot pans to adjust the flame. Automatic ignition means you simply twist the knob and the burner lights, making it quick to get dinner underway.
The four-burner layout with three different sizes gives a practical spread of options. You can simmer sauces gently on the smaller burner while using the standard zones for pans of veg, and reserve the ultra-rapid burner for tasks that need serious heat. Cast iron supports keep everything stable, which is especially reassuring with tall pasta pots or heavy frying pans.
Cleaning is typical for an enamel gas hob. The pan supports lift off so you can wipe down the surface, and the controls are physical dials rather than flat touchpads, so they’re easy to grip even with slightly wet hands. As with most enamel hobs, wiping up spills promptly will help keep it looking smart.
Because it’s an integrated appliance, once it’s in place it feels like a permanent, built-in part of the kitchen. There’s no fuss with cables trailing around – just a clean, traditional hob surface ready whenever you are.
In performance terms, this hob is all about dependable gas power with a little extra punch where it counts. The burner power range from 1.05 to 3.3 kW covers gentle simmering through to high-heat cooking, and the ultra-rapid burner is designed to deliver that quick, intense heat you need for wok cooking and fast boiling.
The four burners are arranged to give you three different burner sizes, so you can match pots and pans sensibly to each zone. That makes it easier to avoid scorching delicate sauces or waiting ages for large pots to come to the boil. The cast iron pan supports help distribute weight evenly and cope well with regular use.
From a safety standpoint, the automatic safety shut-off and flame failure devices are strong features. If a pan boils over and extinguishes the flame, the gas supply is cut, reducing the risk of gas build-up. For many households, this will be a key reassurance when moving to or upgrading a gas hob.
It’s also flexible on fuel. The hob is compatible with mains gas out of the box and is LPG convertible, with a kit included. That’s useful if you’re in a property that relies on bottled gas or planning a kitchen in a location without a direct gas connection.
While it doesn’t offer high-tech extras like touch controls or smart connectivity, the automatic ignition and simple rotary dials keep operation intuitive. The enamel surface and classic Victoria styling give it a more upmarket look than many standard 60cm hobs, especially in a coordinated Smeg kitchen.
At £429, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH sits at the higher end of the 60cm gas hob spectrum, reflecting Smeg’s position as a premium brand. You can certainly find cheaper four-burner hobs, but they’re unlikely to match this one’s combination of design, build quality and safety features.
You’re paying for the sturdy cast iron supports, Italian manufacture, powerful wok burner and reassuring safety systems, all wrapped in a smart black enamel finish that complements more expensive ovens and cooker hoods. For buyers who care about how the hob looks as well as how it cooks, that premium feels justified.
The strong 4.8 out of 5 user rating supports the sense that owners generally feel they’ve got what they paid for – a solid, attractive hob that performs reliably. If you just want the cheapest way to boil a pan of pasta, this is overkill; but if you want a long-term, stylish upgrade for a busy kitchen, the price is fair for what you get.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a well-built, attractive 60cm gas hob that focuses on doing the basics very well, with a bit of extra punch from its powerful wok burner. The cast iron supports, automatic ignition and solid safety features make everyday cooking feel confident and controlled.
It isn’t the most feature-packed hob on the market and the lack of a timer or control lock may be a downside for some families. However, if you value traditional gas cooking, classic styling and reliable performance over flashy extras, it’s a very strong choice.
For small to medium households looking to invest in a smart-looking, dependable gas hob – especially those already considering Smeg appliances – the Victoria SR964NGH is easy to recommend, provided you’re comfortable with the premium price tag.