Home » Product Reviews » Smeg Victoria SR964NGH 60cm Gas Hob review
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob with four burners, finished in a traditional black enamel that matches the brand’s retro-inspired Victoria range. It aims to blend classic looks with reliable everyday performance.
This is very much a premium mid-sized hob, with cast iron pan supports and a dedicated ultra-rapid wok burner for more intense cooking. It sits towards the higher end of typical 60cm gas hob pricing, but you’re paying for design and build quality as much as for features.
With a 4.8 out of 5 rating from owners, it’s clearly gone down well in real kitchens, particularly with cooks who like the responsive feel of gas and want something smarter than a basic stainless model.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH suits households that cook most days and want a reliable, stylish hob rather than the cheapest option. If you’re upgrading an older 60cm gas hob and fancy something that looks smarter in a traditional or shaker-style kitchen, it’s a strong candidate.
With four burners and three different burner sizes, it’s ideal for couples or families who regularly have multiple pans on the go, from pasta and veg to sauces and stews. The ultra-rapid burner is particularly helpful if you stir-fry, sear meat in a large pan, or just want your water to come to the boil quickly.
It’s best suited to buyers with a mid-range to premium budget who value build quality and brand reputation. You don’t get smart tech or a timer, so it’s not for someone chasing lots of bells and whistles – it’s for people who prefer straightforward rotary control and the tactile feel of gas.
If you live in an area without mains gas or in a home that runs on bottled gas, the included LPG conversion kit makes it a sensible choice too, provided you’re happy to have it installed by a Gas Safe engineer.
The standout feature is the ultra-rapid wok burner, offering up to 3.3 kW of heat. That gives you quick, intense heat for woks, large frying pans or fast boiling, making everyday cooking feel notably snappier than on basic hobs with weaker burners.
The heavy cast iron pan supports are another plus. They feel sturdy, help keep pans stable when you’re stirring, and give the hob a more upmarket, professional look compared with lighter enamel supports.
Controls are simple and familiar. Front-mounted rotary dials with automatic ignition make it easy to light and adjust burners with one hand, without fiddling with buttons or touch controls that can be less responsive when wet or greasy.
Safety is well thought through, with automatic safety shut-off and a flame failure device. If a flame blows out, the gas supply cuts off, which is reassuring in busy households.
The 60cm width and integrated design mean it will slot into most standard cut-outs, and the low 3cm profile keeps it looking neat and unobtrusive on the worktop.
Given its price, some buyers might expect a few more convenience touches, such as a timer, control panel lock or more advanced ignition options. You get the essentials, but nothing beyond that.
The enamel surface, while in keeping with the classic styling, can show marks and spills more readily than some modern glass surfaces and may take a bit more effort to keep looking pristine.
There’s no control panel lock, which won’t matter to everyone but is worth noting if you have small children who might be tempted by front-mounted knobs.
Finally, the two-year warranty is perfectly acceptable but not class-leading for a premium-brand appliance, so it’s worth considering extended cover if you like long-term peace of mind.
Living with the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is reassuringly straightforward. The automatic ignition means you simply turn the dial and the burner lights, with no need for matches or separate spark buttons. The front-mounted controls are easy to reach, and the clear separation between burners makes it simple to see which knob controls which flame.
The three burner sizes give good flexibility day to day. Smaller burners handle gentle simmering and sauces without scorching, while the medium zones are your go-to for most pans. The ultra-rapid burner comes into its own when you’re in a hurry or working with a large wok or stockpot.
The cast iron pan supports form a stable, continuous surface, so sliding pans from one burner to another feels secure. They are weighty, which helps with stability but means you’ll want to lift them off carefully for cleaning.
Cleaning is fairly typical for a gas hob: the enamel surface can be wiped down with a soft cloth and non-abrasive cleaner once it’s cool. The raised profile of the burners and supports means there are a few nooks to get into, but nothing out of the ordinary for this style of appliance.
Installation is not DIY – it needs a Gas Safe engineer for the gas connection and an electrician to attach the plug or cable, especially if you’re converting for LPG. Once that’s done, everyday use is as uncomplicated as it gets.
Performance centres on the four gas burners, with a power range from 1.05 kW up to 3.3 kW. That spread lets you move from a gentle simmer to a vigorous boil simply by shifting pans or tweaking the controls, and it’s more than enough for typical home cooking.
The dedicated wok/ultra-rapid burner is a real highlight. At the top of the power range it delivers a strong, focused flame that’s ideal for stir-fries, searing steaks in a heavy pan, or quickly reducing sauces. It’s a noticeable step up from the largest burner on many budget hobs.
All burners benefit from automatic ignition, so you don’t have to coordinate a button and a dial or reach for a lighter. Flame failure safety devices add another layer of protection by cutting the gas if the flame goes out, an increasingly common but still important feature.
The enamel surface and cast iron supports give the hob a solid, traditional feel. Enamel is durable and handles everyday knocks well, while the cast iron supports cope easily with heavier cookware such as cast iron casserole dishes.
What you won’t find are digital extras or smart features: there’s no timer, no touch controls and no child lock. Instead, the SR964NGH leans on simplicity, reliability and classic design rather than advanced tech, which will appeal to cooks who prefer intuitive, no-nonsense controls.
At its current price, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH sits towards the premium end of 60cm gas hobs. Cheaper models are available with the same basic burner layout, so you’re paying a clear uplift for Smeg’s styling, materials and brand reputation.
However, the specification is stronger than entry-level rivals. The ultra-rapid burner, cast iron supports, flame failure safety and LPG compatibility combine to create a hob that feels a cut above the basics. For many buyers, especially those investing in a coordinated Smeg kitchen, that will justify the extra spend.
The strong user rating of 4.8 out of 5, backed by a decent number of reviews, suggests that owners generally feel they’ve had good value from it in real-world use. If you’re purely price-driven, you can find simpler hobs for less, but if you want something that looks and feels premium without being excessive, the SR964NGH offers solid value.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a well-built, attractive 60cm gas hob that combines classic styling with strong everyday performance. The powerful wok burner, sturdy cast iron supports and straightforward rotary controls make cooking feel both responsive and reassuringly familiar.
It’s not overloaded with features, and the lack of timer or control lock may put off those who want more tech-led convenience. The premium price also means it won’t be the right pick if you simply want the cheapest possible gas hob.
For homeowners upgrading a busy family kitchen or finishing off a traditionally styled space, though, it hits a sweet spot. If you value design, solid hardware and the precise control of gas, and are happy to pay a bit more for those things, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is an excellent choice.