Home » Product Reviews » Smeg Victoria SR964NGH 60cm Gas Hob review
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob aimed at cooks who like traditional control with a bit of premium polish. Finished in black enamel with chunky cast iron pan supports, it’s designed to sit neatly in a standard-sized kitchen while still making a style statement.
With four burners including a high-output wok zone, it’s well set up for everyday family cooking and the odd stir-fry night. Automatic ignition, front-mounted rotary dials and built-in safety shut-off keep things simple and reassuring.
Owners rate it very highly, with a strong 4.8 out of 5 from user reviews, suggesting that real-world performance and build quality live up to Smeg’s reputation as a premium brand.
This hob is a good fit for small to medium households who cook most days and want something that feels solid under the pans. The four burners cover the basics comfortably, so it suits typical weeknight meals, batch cooking and Sunday lunches without demanding a lot of worktop space.
The price and the Smeg badging put it in the more premium camp, so it’s best for buyers who care about aesthetics and build quality as much as pure function. If you’re refreshing a kitchen and want a hob that looks the part in a classic or shaker-style scheme, this sits nicely in that space.
It’s also a sensible option for gas cooking enthusiasts who like visible flames and responsive heat, particularly if you use a wok or larger pans. The dedicated ultra-rapid burner gives you the punch you need for quick searing and fast boiling.
If you’re on a tight budget or want lots of extra tech such as touch controls, timers or smart features, this model is probably more than you need. But for someone who values straightforward controls, solid materials and a recognisable Italian brand, it’s a strong candidate.
The standout feature is the powerful wok burner, which delivers quick, intense heat up to 3.3 kW. That makes stir-fries, searing and fast boiling noticeably quicker than on a basic four-burner hob with all medium zones.
Cast iron pan supports are another big plus. They feel sturdy, give your cookware a stable base and add a premium, professional look. They’re more durable than lighter enamelled supports and cope well with heavy pots.
Everyday use is made simpler by automatic ignition and front-mounted rotary dials. A quick twist is all it takes to get a flame going, and you don’t have to lean over hot pans to change the heat.
Safety is well covered too. Flame failure devices cut the gas if the flame goes out, and automatic safety shut-off adds an extra layer of reassurance, especially in busy family kitchens. The strong user rating of 4.8 out of 5 backs up the impression that owners are happy with both performance and reliability.
There’s no built-in timer or control panel lock, so you don’t get some of the convenience and child-safety features that are becoming more common on newer hobs, especially electric and induction models.
The surface is enamel rather than glass or stainless steel. While hard-wearing, enamel can be a little more fiddly to clean around the burners and can show chips if knocked with heavy cookware.
Installation requires both an electrician to connect the power and a Gas Safe engineer for the gas supply, and a gas hose is not included. That’s standard for many gas hobs but still an extra cost to factor in.
Finally, the 2-year manufacturer warranty is decent but not exceptional at this price point. Some rivals offer longer cover, so it would be nice to see a bit more peace of mind given the premium positioning.
Living with the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is largely about straightforward, familiar gas cooking. The front-mounted rotary controls are chunky and intuitive, so you can adjust the flame without stretching across the hob, which feels safer and more comfortable.
Automatic ignition built into the controls means no separate ignition button or matches; you simply push and turn to light. That detail makes a big difference when your hands are full or you’re juggling several pans.
The cast iron pan supports create a continuous, level surface, so sliding pans from one burner to another feels smooth and secure. They’re weighty enough to stay put when you move heavy pots, which adds confidence when you’re cooking bigger meals.
At just 3cm high and 60cm wide, the hob sits low and flush on the worktop, helping it integrate neatly without dominating the kitchen. Cleaning is typical for a traditional gas hob: you’ll need to lift off the pan supports and wipe around the burners, but the relatively compact layout keeps the job manageable.
With four burners and a power range from 1.05 to 3.3 kW, the SR964NGH covers most cooking tasks comfortably. The smaller burner handles gentle simmering for sauces and soups, while the mid-sized zones take care of day-to-day boiling and frying.
The ultra-rapid wok burner is the performance highlight. It provides a broad, powerful flame that’s ideal for wok cooking, large stockpots or getting a big pan of water up to the boil quickly. If you cook a lot of one-pan meals or like recreating takeaway-style stir-fries, you’ll appreciate the extra punch.
Safety is commendable for a traditional gas setup. Flame failure safety devices ensure gas is automatically cut if a flame blows out, and automatic safety shut-off offers backup protection. For families or open-plan spaces, those features add valuable reassurance.
The hob surface is finished in enamel, which is robust and resistant to everyday knocks and heat. While you don’t get advanced extras such as touch controls, timers or smart connectivity, you do get the core conveniences most cooks actually use: automatic ignition, clear front controls and heavy-duty pan supports.
For homes on LPG, the included conversion kit is a practical bonus. It means the hob can be set up for bottled gas as well as mains, widening its appeal to rural properties and those off the gas grid.
This is a premium-priced 60cm gas hob, and the specification reflects that. You’re paying for the Smeg name, the classic Victoria styling and the more substantial build, particularly the cast iron supports and high-output wok burner.
Against more basic four-burner hobs, it doesn’t try to compete on price or throw in lots of flashy features. Instead, it focuses on solid fundamentals, safety features and a design that will look at home in a more considered kitchen renovation.
The strong 4.8 out of 5 user rating supports the idea that buyers feel they’ve had their money’s worth in terms of reliability and day-to-day performance. If your priority is a dependable, good-looking gas hob rather than the lowest possible price or smart extras, it represents fair value.
However, if you mainly boil and simmer and rarely need a powerful burner, or if budget is tight, you may find better value in a simpler, cheaper model without the premium branding.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a well-made, stylish 60cm gas hob that delivers where it matters: solid heat output, a genuinely powerful wok burner and reassuring safety features. It feels robust under the pans and its classic black enamel and cast iron design will suit both traditional and modern kitchens.
It isn’t the most feature-packed hob around and lacks niceties such as timers and child locks, and the premium price may put off bargain hunters. But its strong user reviews, versatile burner layout and quality materials make it a very appealing choice for households that cook regularly and want a dependable, good-looking gas hob.
If you value classic gas control, a strong wok burner and Smeg styling, this model is easy to recommend. If you’re after cutting-edge tech or the lowest possible price, you may want to look elsewhere in the range.