Home » Product Reviews » Smeg Victoria SR964NGH 60cm Gas Hob review
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob that blends the brand’s trademark retro styling with a straightforward, family-friendly layout. Finished in black enamel with chunky rotary knobs and cast iron pan supports, it’s designed to look the part in a traditional or shaker-style kitchen.
With four burners including a powerful wok burner, automatic ignition and solid safety credentials, it’s a classic gas hob rather than a bells-and-whistles smart model. At this price it sits towards the premium end of 60cm gas hobs, but it’s clearly pitched as a stylish, long-term upgrade rather than a basic builder’s option.
Owners rate it very highly, with an average score of 4.8 out of 5 from a healthy number of reviews, suggesting that real-world performance and ease of use live up to the Smeg name.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH suits households that cook most days and want something that feels robust and reassuring under heavy pans. The four-burner layout is ideal for typical family meals, with enough space to juggle a couple of pans, a sauce and a side without feeling cramped.
It’s a good fit if you like your kitchen appliances to be part of the décor. The black enamel surface and cast iron pan supports give it a more traditional, range-style look than many flat, ultra-minimal gas hobs, so it pairs nicely with classic or country kitchens.
In budget terms this is more of a premium mid-range choice than an entry-level buy. You’re paying for design, build quality and a branded Italian-made appliance rather than advanced technology. That makes it well suited to homeowners upgrading a long-term kitchen, rather than someone kitting out a rental on a tight budget.
If you regularly cook stir-fries, sear meat in a heavy pan or batch cook in larger pots, the inclusion of an ultra-rapid wok burner makes this model particularly appealing. Less confident cooks will also appreciate the simple front-mounted rotary controls and automatic ignition.
The four-burner layout with three different burner sizes gives you flexibility, from gently simmering sauces through to rapid boiling. The dedicated wok burner delivers quick, intense heat that’s ideal for stir-fries, larger stockpots or getting a heavy pan piping hot for searing.
Cast iron pan supports are a real plus at this price. They feel solid and secure, give the hob a more premium look, and make it easy to slide pans from one burner to another without lifting. They’re also more durable over time than lightweight enamelled supports.
Everyday operation is refreshingly simple. Front-mounted rotary dials are easy to see and reach, and automatic ignition means you just turn and press to light – no need for separate lighters or fiddly buttons. Automatic safety shut-off and a flame failure safety device add peace of mind, cutting the gas if a flame is accidentally extinguished.
The hob arrives LPG compatible and includes a conversion kit, which is a real benefit if you’re on bottled gas or planning a move to a property without mains gas. A slim, 3cm-high profile and standard 60cm width also make it a straightforward upgrade for most existing cut-outs.
For a hob at this price, the feature set is quite traditional. There’s no timer, no control panel lock and no extra conveniences like automatic simmer settings or integrated gas-on-glass styling, which some rivals offer in a similar bracket.
The black enamel surface, while attractive, will show spills, grease and fine scratches more readily than some stainless steel or glass alternatives. You’ll need to stay on top of cleaning to keep it looking its best, and cast iron supports are heavier to lift off when wiping down.
The two-year warranty is decent but not outstanding for a premium-branded appliance. Considering you’re paying a little more for the Smeg name and retro styling, a longer standard warranty would be welcome for extra reassurance.
Finally, with only four burners, keen cooks who regularly use multiple large pans at once may find it limiting compared with wider five-burner hobs, particularly if you entertain often.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is designed to be intuitive. The front-mounted rotary controls are clearly laid out and easy to grip, so setting the flame level is straightforward even if your hands are damp or oily. Automatic ignition built into the knobs keeps the process simple – press, turn, and you’re cooking.
The mix of burner sizes makes it easy to match pans to the right zone. Smaller burners handle gentle simmering without scorching, while the ultra-rapid burner gives an impressive burst of heat when you need to boil water in a hurry or stir-fry at high temperatures. The cast iron pan supports create a continuous, stable surface, so pots feel secure and less prone to wobbling.
Cleaning needs a little more effort than on a flat glass hob, but it’s manageable. The enamel surface can be wiped down with standard kitchen cleaners, and the supports lift off for a more thorough clean. Because it’s a low-profile 3cm design, crumbs and splashes are less likely to catch on raised edges, which helps day-to-day upkeep.
Installation is straightforward for professionals. It requires a Gas Safe registered engineer for the gas connection and an electrician to attach a plug or cable, but once fitted it behaves like any other integrated 60cm hob, with a familiar layout for anyone upgrading from an older model.
At the heart of the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a standard four-burner gas layout, but the burner range of 1.05 to 3.3kW gives it a good spread of cooking power. The lower-powered zones are well suited to delicate tasks like melting chocolate or maintaining a gentle simmer, while the powerful wok burner delivers the intense heat that gas fans love.
The wok burner is a particular highlight. Positioned to take heavier pans, it offers a wide, strong flame that reaches up the sides of a wok for authentic stir-frying and rapid searing. It’s equally handy for quickly bringing large pots of water or stock to the boil, cutting down waiting times when you’re cooking big meals.
Build and safety are strong points. The enamel surface is tough and heat resistant, while the cast iron pan supports provide a rigid platform that copes well with regular use. The flame failure safety device and automatic safety shut-off are important features, especially in busy family kitchens, ensuring the gas supply is cut if the flame goes out.
Feature-wise, this is a deliberately uncomplicated hob. There’s no electronic timer, touch controls or smart connectivity – instead you get automatic ignition, simple rotary controls and a robust mechanical feel. For many cooks that’s a positive, reducing the chance of glitches and focusing on reliable heat. The hob is also LPG compatible and supplied with a conversion kit, so performance can be tailored whether you’re on mains gas or bottled gas.
Overall performance is consistent and dependable: plenty of power where it counts, good control at lower settings and a layout that supports everyday cooking as well as more intensive weekend sessions.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is priced above many basic 60cm gas hobs, placing it more in the premium mid-range. You’re not paying for smart technology or advanced automation; instead, the value lies in its design, build quality and the inclusion of features like cast iron supports and a high-output wok burner.
For buyers who care about aesthetics and want a hob that complements a carefully planned kitchen, the extra spend is easier to justify. The Italian-made construction, distinctive Victoria styling and solid-feeling components make it feel like part of a higher-end cooking setup rather than a purely functional appliance.
The strong user rating of 4.8 out of 5 from multiple reviews underlines that owners generally feel they’ve had good value, with reliability and ease of use holding up well in day-to-day cooking. If you’re simply after the cheapest way to get four gas burners, there are more affordable options. But if you want a stylish, sturdy hob that should serve you well for years, the price is reasonable for what’s on offer.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a stylish, well-built 60cm gas hob that delivers exactly what most home cooks need: reliable heat, a good mix of burner sizes and a design that feels solid and reassuring. The cast iron supports and powerful wok burner give it a more serious, range-style feel than many standard four-burner models.
It’s not the most feature-packed hob on the market. There’s no timer, no child lock and no advanced technology to shout about, and cleaning the enamel and cast iron will take a little more effort than a flat glass surface. The price also reflects its premium branding and design rather than a long list of extras.
If you want a fuss-free gas hob that looks great, feels durable and has the power to back it up, this Smeg is a strong choice, especially for traditional or character kitchens. Those chasing the lowest price or the latest digital features may want to look elsewhere, but for dependable performance wrapped in classic styling, it’s hard to fault.