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 practical everyday cooking features. Finished in black enamel with chunky rotary dials and cast iron pan supports, it’s clearly aimed at those who like a more classic look without sacrificing performance.
With four burners including a powerful ultra-rapid wok zone, automatic ignition and built-in safety shut-off, it covers the key bases for most family kitchens. At its current price it sits in the premium end of 60cm gas hobs, but it backs this up with solid build quality and Italian-made credentials.
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 users are pleased with both how it cooks and how it looks on the worktop.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is ideal for homeowners who want a traditional-looking gas hob that still feels sturdy and modern in day-to-day use. If you’re updating a period-style kitchen or pairing it with other Smeg Victoria appliances, the retro aesthetic and black enamel finish will fit in neatly.
It’s well suited to small and medium-sized households that cook regularly. Four burners is the standard layout for a 60cm hob, and the inclusion of a dedicated wok burner means you can comfortably handle everything from gentle simmering to fast stir-fries.
This is a better fit for buyers with a mid to higher budget rather than someone after the cheapest possible hob. You’re paying a bit extra for design, build and the Smeg badge, not for lots of high-tech extras. If you prefer simple rotary controls and instant, visible flame over touch panels and induction, this will feel intuitive and reassuringly familiar.
It will also appeal to people in LPG properties, as it’s supplied with a conversion kit, and to those who value safety – features like flame failure devices and automatic shut-off give added peace of mind in busy family kitchens.
The standout plus point is the powerful ultra-rapid wok burner. It delivers quick, intense heat that’s perfect for stir-fries, searing meat or rapidly boiling large pans of water, something many basic four-burner hobs lack.
Sturdy cast iron pan supports give the hob a premium, professional feel. They’re more durable than lightweight enamel supports and create a stable, continuous surface, so it’s easier to slide heavy pans around without them tipping.
Ease of use is strong: simple front-mounted rotary dials and automatic ignition mean you can go from off to cooking with one hand, without hunting for a separate ignition button. The clear, mechanical controls will suit users who aren’t keen on digital touch panels.
Safety is well covered too. Flame failure devices cut off the gas if the flame goes out, and automatic safety shut-off adds another layer of protection – reassuring if you’ve got children or are prone to distractions in a busy kitchen.
The combination of stylish black enamel, Italian manufacture and a two-year manufacturer warranty rounds out a package that feels well built and thoughtfully specified for everyday home cooking.
For a 60cm hob, the feature set is quite traditional. There’s no timer, no control panel lock and no smart functions, which may disappoint anyone used to more modern or induction-style convenience features.
The enamel surface, while attractive, can be more prone to showing scratches and burnt-on stains than some glass or stainless steel competitors, so it may take a bit of care and regular cleaning to keep it looking its best.
Installation requires both an electrician to attach a plug or cable and a Gas Safe engineer to connect the gas supply, and the hose is not included. That’s standard for many gas hobs, but it’s still an extra cost to factor in on top of what is already a relatively premium purchase price.
Finally, the two-year warranty is acceptable but not outstanding for a higher-end brand. A longer cover period would add extra confidence, especially at this price point.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH feels reassuringly straightforward. The front-mounted rotary controls are easy to see and reach, so you don’t have to lean over hot pans to adjust the heat. Automatic ignition means each burner lights with a simple twist, which quickly becomes second nature.
The four burners, spread across a 59.5cm width, offer a practical mix of sizes to suit different pans. The dedicated wok burner gives you a powerful front zone for high-heat cooking, while the smaller burners are well suited to sauces or gentle simmering. Having three different burner sizes makes it easier to match the flame to the pan and avoid scorching.
Cast iron pan supports create a solid, level platform that inspires confidence when using heavier cookware like cast iron casseroles or large stockpots. They also make it easier to shuffle pans around when juggling multiple dishes. Being removable, they can be lifted off for a more thorough clean when needed.
The black enamel surface gives a classic, glossy look, but it will reward regular wiping down after cooking. Splashes and spills show up more clearly on dark, shiny finishes, so a quick routine clean will help preserve the finish. With no complex electronics or touch panels, there’s little to get in the way of simple, reliable cooking.
As a gas hob, performance is all about responsive heat and burner layout. The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH offers a burner power range from 1.05 kW up to a punchy 3.3 kW, giving you precise control from low simmer to fast boiling. The ultra-rapid burner is the star of the show, providing the kind of intense heat needed for authentic wok cooking and quick weeknight meals.
The other three burners cover a good spread of everyday tasks. The smaller zones handle delicate sauces and slow cooking without constant supervision, while the medium burner is a versatile workhorse for standard pans. Having three distinct burner sizes means you’re less likely to end up overpowering a small pan or waiting too long for a big pot to come to the boil.
Safety features are notably comprehensive for a traditional gas hob. A flame failure safety device on each burner cuts off the gas if the flame is extinguished, helping prevent gas leaks. Automatic safety shut-off adds another layer of protection if a burner is left on inadvertently, which is particularly valuable in family homes or busy shared kitchens.
Material choices support both performance and durability. The enamelled surface is heat-resistant and complements the retro design, while the cast iron pan supports are built to cope with frequent use and heavy cookware. Automatic ignition powered via a 3-amp electrical connection keeps operation simple and reliable, without complex electronics.
For homes running on bottled gas, LPG compatibility with an included conversion kit is a practical bonus. It means the same hob can be adapted neatly for rural or off-grid properties without needing to buy a separate LPG-specific model.
With a price that sits in the upper bracket for a 60cm gas hob, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is clearly not targeting budget buyers. Instead, it aims to justify its cost with styling, build quality and a couple of well-chosen performance features such as the ultra-rapid wok burner and robust cast iron supports.
If you simply want the lowest-cost way to get four gas burners, there are cheaper models that will do the job. Where this Smeg makes more sense is for buyers who value the look and feel of their appliances as much as the raw spec sheet. The Italian-made construction, cohesive Victoria design language and solid, weighty components all contribute to a more premium experience.
The very strong user rating of 4.8 out of 5, from a decent number of reviews, suggests that most owners feel they’ve had good return for their money. Safety features like flame failure cut-off and automatic shut-off, plus LPG compatibility and a two-year warranty, add further justification to the price for those planning to keep the hob in service for many years.
Overall, it represents good – though not budget – value for style-conscious households who want a reliable, traditional gas hob with a performance edge rather than a feature-packed, ultra-modern cooker.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH 60cm gas hob is a strong choice if you want classic styling, solid build quality and dependable gas performance. It doesn’t overload you with technology, instead focusing on the fundamentals: responsive burners, a powerful wok zone, sturdy cast iron supports and sensible safety features.
It’s best suited to design-led kitchens and to home cooks who appreciate the immediacy of gas and like the idea of a retro aesthetic that still feels robust and modern in use. If your priorities are smart functions, built-in timers or induction-style efficiency, you’ll be better off looking elsewhere.
For those willing to pay a bit more for Smeg’s design and finish, this hob delivers a satisfying mix of everyday usability and premium feel, backed up by excellent owner feedback. As a stylish, reliable centrepiece for a small or medium-sized kitchen, it’s a very appealing option.