Home » Product Reviews » Smeg Victoria SR964NGH 60cm Gas Hob review
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob with four burners, traditional rotary controls and a sleek black enamel finish. It sits firmly in the premium, design-led corner of the gas hob market, aimed at buyers who value looks as much as day-to-day practicality.
With sturdy cast iron pan supports, automatic ignition and a powerful wok burner, it covers the core features most home cooks need without drifting into gimmicks. A strong 4.8 out of 5 rating from owners suggests it delivers on reliability and performance, even if it’s priced higher than many basic 60cm gas hobs.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is ideal for style-conscious households who want a traditional gas hob that looks as good as it cooks. If you’re updating a period-style or shaker kitchen and want something that feels in keeping, the Victoria styling and black enamel finish will fit in beautifully.
With four burners and a dedicated wok burner, it suits small to medium-sized families who cook most days and like to mix quick stir-fries with slower, more gentle simmering. It’s a solid choice if you regularly have two or three pans on the go rather than filling every possible burner.
The price places it in the upper mid-range to premium bracket for a 60cm gas hob, so it’s best suited to buyers who are happy to pay extra for build quality, brand reputation and design rather than simply chasing the lowest cost.
It’s also a good option for anyone who prefers straightforward controls over touch panels. The front-mounted rotary dials and automatic ignition make it unintimidating for first-time cooks, renters and more traditional users alike.
The standout feature here is the ultra-rapid wok burner, delivering quick, intense heat that’s perfect for stir-fries, searing meat or rapidly bringing large pans of water to the boil. It gives the hob a genuine step up over basic four-burner models that only offer standard burners.
Sturdy cast iron pan supports add to the premium feel. They offer a stable platform for heavy cookware, spread heat evenly and are far more durable than lighter enamelled trivets often found on cheaper hobs.
Automatic ignition and front-mounted rotary dials keep operation simple and intuitive. You can ignite and adjust the flame with one hand, which is especially handy when juggling multiple pans.
Safety is well covered with flame failure devices on the burners and automatic safety shut-off, providing reassurance if the flame goes out unexpectedly.
The inclusion of an LPG conversion kit in the box is another plus, making it a flexible choice whether you’re on mains gas or bottled gas.
For a hob at this price point, the feature set is deliberately traditional. There’s no timer, control panel lock or advanced functions, which some modern rivals now include as standard.
The enamel surface, while attractive, can show marks and baked-on spills more readily than some glass or stainless steel competitors, and will need regular wiping to keep it looking its best.
With only four burners and three burner sizes, there’s no extra fifth zone or dedicated small auxiliary zone beyond the standard layout, so those who routinely cook with lots of tiny pans or want more flexibility may find it a touch limiting.
Finally, the two-year warranty is decent but not exceptional for a premium-brand built-in appliance, and some buyers may wish for a longer guarantee for added peace of mind.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH aims to be as fuss-free as possible. Automatic ignition means there’s no separate spark button to hunt for – simply turn the front-mounted dial and the burner lights. The controls are clearly laid out and easy to grip, which makes fine flame adjustment straightforward even with slightly greasy hands.
The cast iron pan supports create a continuous cooking surface, so sliding pans between burners feels secure. Their weight gives a pleasingly solid feel, though it does mean lifting them off for cleaning takes a little more effort than with lighter supports.
At just 3cm high and 60cm wide, it integrates neatly into standard worktops without dominating the space. Front control positioning is convenient, though households with small children may wish it also had a control lock.
Cleaning is largely a case of lifting off the supports and wiping down the enamel surface. There are no fiddly touch controls or display panels to worry about, which many users will appreciate, but burnt-on spills will still benefit from a bit of soak time or a specialist hob cleaner.
Performance-wise, the SR964NGH offers a sensible mix of burners with a power range from 1.05kW up to a punchy 3.3kW on the ultra-rapid zone. The wok burner is the headline act, providing strong, concentrated heat for fast cooking and giving the hob enough muscle for large stockpots or big pasta pans.
The remaining three burners cover everyday tasks, from gentle simmering to medium–high heat frying. With three different burner sizes, it adapts well to a range of pan diameters, helping you avoid wasted heat licking up the sides of smaller pans.
Construction is classic Smeg: cast iron pan supports for durability and stability, with an enamel surface that gives the hob its distinctive black Victoria look. The enamel finish also offers reasonable resistance to scratches compared with some softer glass surfaces, provided you avoid dragging pans.
Safety features are well thought out. A flame failure device on each burner cuts the gas supply if the flame goes out, and automatic safety shut-off adds another layer of protection – reassuring in busy family kitchens.
Installation-wise, it’s compatible with both natural gas and LPG, with a conversion kit supplied. It does, however, require connection by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and the electrical supply must be completed by a qualified electrician, as there’s no plug pre-fitted.
This is not a budget hob; its pricing reflects Smeg’s premium branding, Italian build and the Victoria range’s design-led styling. You’re paying for a combination of looks, solid materials and a focused feature set rather than a long list of high-tech extras.
For the money, you get robust cast iron supports, a powerful wok burner, built‑in safety features and the flexibility of LPG conversion, all of which are meaningful upgrades over entry-level models. The lack of digital timers or child-lock features may deter tech-focused buyers, but it will appeal to those who prefer straightforward, mechanical controls.
The strong 4.8 out of 5 owner rating is a good indicator that buyers generally feel they’ve had fair value, especially if they chose it to complement a particular kitchen style. If you simply want the cheapest 60cm gas hob, there are plenty of alternatives, but if you value aesthetics, brand reputation and cooking performance, the SR964NGH justifies its premium.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a well-made, attractive 60cm gas hob that delivers reliable performance, strong safety credentials and a powerful wok burner in a classic, design-led package. It’s a great fit for smaller to medium-sized households who cook regularly and want their hob to enhance the look of the kitchen rather than just blend into the background.
It’s not the most feature-packed option on the market, and the price will feel high if you’re only interested in basic functionality. There’s no timer, control lock or smart extras, and cleaning enamel and heavy cast iron supports demands a little care.
If you’re happy to pay a bit more for style, solid construction and simple, dependable gas cooking, this Smeg hob is a strong contender. Those on a tighter budget, or who want more advanced controls and programmability, may be better off with a more modern, feature-rich alternative.