Home » Product Reviews » Smeg Victoria SR964NGH 60cm Gas Hob review
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob that blends traditional styling with a solid, no-nonsense feature set. Finished in black enamel with chunky cast iron pan supports and simple rotary dials, it’s clearly aimed at buyers who want classic looks without sacrificing everyday usability.
With four burners including an ultra-rapid wok zone, automatic ignition and built-in safety shut-off, it covers the key bases for most family kitchens. The price sits in the more premium bracket for a standard 60cm gas hob, but the Smeg badge, Italian build and reassuring 2-year warranty all signal a step up from budget models.
Owners rate it very highly, with an average score of 4.8 out of 5 from a good number of reviews, suggesting that real-world performance and reliability live up to the promise on paper.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is ideal for households that do a lot of everyday cooking and want a stylish, built-in gas hob that looks the part in a more traditional or country-style kitchen. Its 60cm width is a standard size, so it’s well suited to typical UK family kitchens and replacement installs.
If you enjoy stir-fries, searing steaks or fast boiling, the dedicated ultra-rapid wok burner will appeal. It delivers intense heat quickly, making it a good choice for more enthusiastic home cooks who like a bit of power at their fingertips without moving to a much larger hob.
Budget-conscious buyers looking for the cheapest possible four-burner hob may find this model a little pricey. It’s better suited to mid-range and premium refurbishments where you’re happy to pay extra for robust cast iron pan supports, refined styling and the Smeg name.
It’s also a strong option if you value simplicity over gadgetry. There are no touch controls, timers or complicated settings – just front-mounted rotary knobs, automatic ignition and straightforward gas power, which will suit everyone from first-time buyers through to confident home cooks.
The standout strength of the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is its combination of traditional design and practical performance. The black enamel surface and heavy cast iron pan supports give it a sturdy, premium feel that looks at home in both classic and modern kitchens.
The four-burner layout is well judged for everyday use, with three different burner sizes and a burner power range from 1.05 to 3.3 kW. The ultra-rapid wok burner is a genuine asset, providing quick, intense heat for fast cooking and large pots, so you can boil water or fry off ingredients much faster than on basic hobs.
Everyday operation is very straightforward. Front-mounted rotary dials are easy to reach, and automatic ignition means you simply turn and light in one motion – no separate ignition button or matches needed. The enamel surface is generally easier to wipe clean than brushed stainless steel, which helps with day-to-day maintenance.
Safety is also well covered. The flame failure safety device and automatic safety shut off provide peace of mind, cutting the gas supply if the flame goes out. The fact that it’s LPG compatible and supplied with a conversion kit is another plus, especially for homes running on bottled gas or in rural locations.
For a standard 60cm, four-burner hob, the price is on the higher side, largely reflecting the Smeg branding and styling rather than a long list of advanced features. If you’re after the latest tech, you won’t find timers, digital displays, a control panel lock or any smart connectivity here.
The enamel surface, while attractive and easy to wipe, can be more prone to showing chips or scratches over time than some glass or high-end stainless alternatives if not treated carefully. The chunky cast iron pan supports look and feel premium but can be heavier to lift off for cleaning than lighter steel designs.
There’s also no built-in timer or child lock, features that some families may expect at this price point. And as with all gas hobs, you’ll need a Gas Safe engineer for installation, plus an electrician to attach the power cable, which adds to the overall cost if you’re upgrading from an older appliance.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH feels reassuringly solid. Pans sit securely on the cast iron supports, so there’s little wobble even with smaller saucepans. The layout of the four burners gives you a good mix of space and power, making it easy to have a large pan on the wok burner while simmering sauces on the smaller zones.
The front-mounted rotary controls are intuitive – you don’t have to reach over hot pans to adjust the flame, and the automatic ignition kicks in as soon as you twist the knob. Once you get used to your preferred settings, it’s very much a ‘set by feel’ hob, with no fiddly touchpads.
Cleaning is relatively straightforward. The enamel surface can be wiped down with standard kitchen cleaner once the hob has cooled, and the pan supports lift off for a more thorough clean. Because they’re cast iron, they’re a bit weighty, but that’s part of their robust charm. The low 3cm profile also helps it sit flush and neat with the worktop, giving a built-in, considered look.
The lack of extra electronics means there’s less to learn and less that can go wrong. As long as it’s installed correctly by a Gas Safe engineer and connected electrically, everyday operation is simple and dependable.
Performance-wise, this hob focuses on doing the basics very well. With a burner power range from 1.05 to 3.3 kW, it has enough flexibility to handle everything from gentle simmering to high-heat searing. The ultra-rapid burner is particularly useful for stir-fries, boiling large pots of water or quickly reducing sauces.
The three different burner sizes allow you to match pan size to flame, improving efficiency and control. You can have a low, steady flame for delicate dishes on one burner while cranking another up to full power for fast cooking, which suits typical family meal prep or entertaining.
In terms of features, it keeps things refreshingly straightforward. Automatic ignition on each burner means instant lighting without separate buttons, and gas is cut off automatically if the flame goes out thanks to the flame failure safety system. The automatic safety shut off adds another layer of reassurance for busy households.
The hob surface is enamel, which gives a deep black finish and pairs well with the Victoria range aesthetic. Cast iron pan supports not only look premium but also distribute heat well and remain stable over time. Being LPG compatible and supplied with a conversion kit adds flexibility, making it suitable for homes that aren’t on mains gas.
You don’t get advanced extras like built-in timers, touch controls, or a control panel lock. However, for many buyers, especially those who prefer traditional gas control and reliability over extra tech, the feature set will feel well balanced rather than lacking.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH sits in the premium segment for a 60cm, four-burner gas hob. You can certainly find cheaper options with a similar basic layout, but they rarely match the combination of styling, build quality and brand reputation on offer here.
What you’re paying for is the classic Victoria design, the robust cast iron supports, the powerful wok burner and solid safety features, all backed by a 2-year manufacturer warranty. The strong user rating of 4.8 out of 5, from a healthy number of reviews, suggests buyers feel they’ve got their money’s worth in real-world use.
If your priority is simply the lowest price for a working gas hob, this probably isn’t it. But if you’re upgrading a kitchen, want something that looks and feels a cut above the norm, and value Smeg’s styling and Italian build, the price becomes easier to justify. Overall, it offers good – though not budget – value for homeowners aiming for a more premium finish.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a stylish, well-built 60cm gas hob that prioritises reliable performance and classic design over flashy extras. With four burners, a powerful wok zone, solid cast iron supports and straightforward rotary controls, it delivers exactly what most home cooks need, and does so with a premium feel.
It’s not the cheapest hob around, and those looking for touch controls, integrated timers or child locks may want to consider more feature-heavy alternatives. But the strong owner reviews, reassuring safety features and versatile burner layout make a compelling case.
If you’re refurbishing a kitchen and want a traditional-looking gas hob that feels robust, performs well and matches a more upmarket aesthetic, the Victoria SR964NGH is an excellent choice. Those on tighter budgets or craving cutting-edge tech may be better served elsewhere, but for classic gas cooking with a touch of Italian style, it’s a standout option.