Home » Product Reviews » Smeg Victoria SR964NGH 60cm Gas Hob review
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob aimed at anyone who wants traditional gas cooking with a touch of classic Smeg styling. Finished in black enamel with chunky front-mounted dials and cast iron pan supports, it looks the part in both modern and period-style kitchens.
This is a four-burner layout with a dedicated ultra-rapid wok burner, automatic ignition and key safety features such as flame failure shut-off. It’s a fairly premium option in the 60cm gas hob market, but the specification is stronger than many basic hobs.
With an impressive 4.8 out of 5 rating from owners, it’s clearly gone down well in real kitchens, suggesting that it backs up the looks with reliable, straightforward performance.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is ideal for households that cook most days and want the precision of gas with a more upmarket finish. The standard 60cm width makes it a natural fit for typical UK kitchens, whether you’re replacing an old hob or planning a new layout.
If you enjoy stir-fries, searing steaks or bringing pans up to the boil quickly, the dedicated wok burner with up to 3.3kW of power will appeal. The three different burner sizes also suit a mix of small saucepans, everyday frying pans and larger pots.
Stylistically, it’s a good match for anyone drawn to Smeg’s Victoria range – perhaps pairing it with a matching oven or cooker – or simply those who prefer classic rotary controls over touch panels. It’s not a bargain-basement choice, so it suits mid-range to premium budgets rather than the very price-conscious buyer.
It’s also well suited to first-time renovators who want something simple to use but smart-looking, as well as more confident home cooks who value solid pan supports and reliable heat over flashy smart features.
The powerful ultra-rapid wok burner is a real highlight, delivering quick, intense heat that makes light work of stir-fries, searing and fast boiling. It’s a step up from the all-similar burners you see on many cheaper hobs.
Sturdy cast iron pan supports give the hob a premium feel and keep pans stable, even when they’re large or heavy. They’re also more durable than basic enamelled wire designs and cope well with frequent use.
Front-mounted rotary controls are easy to reach and intuitive to use, with automatic ignition built in, so you simply turn and light without juggling matches or a separate igniter. This makes everyday cooking feel straightforward and fuss-free.
Safety is well covered too. The automatic safety shut-off and flame failure devices cut the gas if the flame goes out, giving peace of mind in busy family kitchens. The hob is also supplied LPG-convertible with a kit, which is handy if you’re on bottled gas rather than mains.
The slim 3cm profile and 60cm width mean it drops neatly into most standard worktops, and with a 2-year manufacturer warranty you get decent long-term reassurance for a built-in appliance.
For a hob at this price, the feature set is deliberately traditional. There’s no timer, control lock or modern extras like touch controls or flame-level indicators, so if you prefer digital convenience you may find it a little basic.
The enamel surface, while in keeping with the classic styling, can be more prone to showing scratches and discolouration over time than higher-end glass or stainless steel. It will reward careful cleaning and non-abrasive products.
With just four burners and no especially low-power dedicated simmer burner, very gentle cooking may need a bit of manual adjustment. If you regularly run lots of pans at once for big family dinners, you might prefer a wider 75cm or 90cm hob with more zones.
Finally, installation requires both an electrician (to attach a plug or cable) and a Gas Safe engineer, and the gas hose is not included. That’s standard for built-in gas hobs, but it’s an extra cost to factor in if you’re upgrading on a tight budget.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is designed to feel familiar and unfussy. The front-mounted rotary dials are clearly laid out so you can see and reach each burner control without leaning over hot pans. Automatic ignition sparks the flame as you turn, so you’re up and cooking in seconds.
The four burners are arranged to give you a logical workspace: the ultra-rapid burner is perfect for your main pan, while the medium and smaller burners handle side dishes and sauces. Having three different burner sizes makes it easier to match the flame to the pan, reducing wasted heat around the edges.
Cast iron pan supports create a flat, continuous surface, so sliding pans between burners feels secure. They’re weighty and reassuring, which helps when using heavy cast iron cookware or large stock pots. Because they’re removable, you can lift them off for a more thorough clean when needed.
The enamel surface should wipe down easily after normal spills, though like all shiny finishes it will look its best if you keep on top of splashes and avoid abrasive pads. With no complex electronics or touch panels, there’s little to confuse users – most people will be entirely at home within the first cook.
Noise levels are typical of a gas hob – just the gentle rush of gas and flame – and there are no fans or pumps to worry about. Once installed correctly with the right gas supply, it’s a low-fuss, reliable part of the kitchen routine.
Performance centres on the four gas burners, with a power range from 1.05kW up to a punchy 3.3kW. The ultra-rapid burner gives you the high heat you need for fast boiling and proper wok cooking, while the less powerful burners offer more controlled heat for simmering and everyday tasks.
Gas hobs live or die by responsiveness, and here you get the classic instant adjustment of a naked flame – turn the dial and you see the change immediately. Combined with the varied burner sizes, it’s easy to find a sweet spot whether you’re gently melting chocolate or reducing a sauce.
In terms of hardware, the enamel surface keeps the look cohesive and traditional, while the cast iron pan supports add heft and stability. These supports also help spread the weight of bigger pans across the hob, reducing the risk of wobbling. The 60cm width is a standard fit, so it drops into most existing cut-outs, and the low 3cm height keeps it neat and unobtrusive on the worktop.
Safety features are stronger than on many budget hobs. Flame failure devices monitor each burner and cut the gas if a flame is accidentally extinguished, for example by a spill or a draught. Automatic safety shut-off also helps guard against gas escaping unnoticed – a valuable reassurance, especially in family homes or shared kitchens.
From a flexibility point of view, LPG compatibility and the included conversion kit are big pluses if you’re not on mains gas. Combined with automatic ignition and straightforward rotary controls, the overall package focuses on solid, dependable performance rather than gimmicks, which will suit buyers who value reliability over advanced tech.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH sits in the premium bracket for a 60cm gas hob, reflecting both the Smeg badge and the more upmarket design. You can certainly find cheaper four-burner hobs, but they tend to compromise on build quality, burner power or styling.
Here, you’re paying for robust cast iron supports, a powerful ultra-rapid burner, comprehensive gas safety features and the cohesive Victoria design language that pairs neatly with other Smeg appliances. The inclusion of an LPG conversion kit and automatic ignition adds practical value that budget models sometimes skip.
The excellent 4.8/5 owner rating suggests that most buyers feel they’ve got their money’s worth, particularly in terms of reliability and ease of use. The two-year manufacturer warranty is decent, though not class-leading, and adds further reassurance.
If you’re simply after the lowest-cost way to get four burners, this isn’t the one. But if you want a stylish, well-built gas hob that feels solid under heavy pans and offers a meaningful upgrade over basic models, the price is justified and the overall value is strong.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a well-executed 60cm gas hob that combines classic looks with solid, everyday performance. The powerful wok burner, sturdy cast iron pan supports and comprehensive safety features all contribute to a hob that feels a cut above entry-level models.
It’s not loaded with digital extras – there’s no timer, lock or touch control – and the enamel surface will need a bit of care to keep looking pristine. But for many home cooks, that simplicity is a strength, making it approachable for the whole household and reducing the risk of niggling electronic faults.
If you’re putting together a stylish kitchen, already like Smeg’s Victoria range, or simply want a reliable, premium-feeling gas hob that’s easy to live with, this model is a very strong contender. Those who need more burners or advanced smart features may want to look higher up the range, but for most medium-sized households, it strikes an excellent balance of performance, design and reliability.