Home » Product Reviews » Smeg Victoria SR964NGH 60cm Gas Hob review
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob that blends the brand’s retro styling with a straightforward, cook-focused layout. Finished in black enamel with chunky rotary dials and cast iron pan supports, it’s designed to look at home in a more traditional or farmhouse-style kitchen.
With four burners including a powerful wok burner and automatic ignition, it’s a solid step up from many basic hobs. The price sits in the premium bracket for a 60cm gas hob, but the Smeg badge and Italian build add to the appeal.
Owners rate it very highly, with an average score of 4.8 out of 5 from a good number of reviews, suggesting that day-to-day performance and reliability largely live up to the promise on paper.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is ideal for home cooks who want classic gas control with a smarter, more premium finish than a standard stainless-steel hob. If you enjoy hands-on cooking and like the idea of a vintage-inspired kitchen, this model fits the brief nicely.
It’s well suited to small and medium-sized households who cook most days. The four-burner layout covers the basics comfortably, and the inclusion of a dedicated wok burner makes it especially appealing if you regularly stir-fry, sear steaks or cook in larger pans.
Budget-wise, it’s aimed at mid to high spenders. If you’re working to a tight budget or just want the cheapest way to boil pasta, there are simpler 60cm gas hobs for less. This Smeg makes more sense if you’re renovating a kitchen, matching other Victoria range appliances, or simply prepared to pay extra for design and brand cachet.
It’s also a good option for those replacing an old integrated gas hob and wanting something easy to live with. The front-mounted rotary knobs, automatic ignition and built-in flame failure safety device keep operation reassuringly straightforward, so you don’t need to be a pro chef to get along with it.
The standout strength here is the combination of style and substance. The black enamel surface, Smeg Victoria styling and chunky cast iron pan supports give the hob a more upmarket, built-in look than many plain metal rivals.
Performance-wise, the four-burner layout with an ultra-rapid wok burner gives you a good spread of heat options. The wok burner delivers quick, intense heat that’s ideal for fast stir-fries, boiling large pans and getting a proper sizzle on the go, while the smaller burners handle gentle simmering.
Everyday convenience is strong too. Automatic ignition on the rotary dials means you can light each burner one-handed without juggling matches or a separate spark igniter. The front control panel keeps everything easy to see and adjust while you’re cooking.
Safety is well covered. The flame failure safety device cuts off the gas if the flame goes out, and automatic safety shut-off adds another layer of protection – reassuring for busy households or anyone new to gas cooking.
Finally, the hob is LPG convertible with a kit included, so if you’re on bottled gas or planning a move where mains gas isn’t available, you’re covered without needing to buy extra parts.
For a 60cm hob with four burners, the price is at the premium end. Much of what you’re paying for is the Smeg brand, styling and build quality rather than an especially advanced feature set, so if you just want function over form, you may find better value elsewhere.
There’s no timer or control panel lock. A timer isn’t essential on a gas hob but can be handy, and the lack of a control lock means you need to be mindful if you have small children who can reach the front dials.
The enamel surface, while attractive, can be slightly more prone to visible marks and requires a bit of care when cleaning to avoid scratching. Some stainless or glass hobs are a little more forgiving if you’re rough with scouring pads.
Lastly, the warranty is two years for domestic use, which is decent but not outstanding at this price level; some rivals offer longer cover on selected models.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH feels reassuringly solid. The cast iron pan supports are heavy and stable, so large pots and wok pans sit securely without wobbling. Once in place, you can move pans around the hob with confidence.
Lighting the burners is uncomplicated. Automatic ignition built into the rotary dials means a quick push-and-turn is all it takes, and the flame comes on cleanly without the repeated clicking you sometimes get on cheaper hobs. The front-mounted knobs are easy to reach without leaning over hot pans, which is especially welcome if you’re shorter or have limited mobility.
Heat control is typically precise for gas. The burner power range from 1.05 kW up to 3.3 kW gives you everything from a gentle simmer to a strong rolling boil. The dedicated wok burner feels noticeably more powerful, so you can quickly bring water to the boil or get a hot pan ready for searing.
Cleaning is fairly straightforward, though it benefits from a little routine. The cast iron supports lift off so you can wipe down the enamel surface beneath. As with most enamel hobs, avoiding abrasive pads and wiping spills promptly will help keep the glossy black finish looking its best.
Installation does need a Gas Safe registered engineer, and an electrician will need to connect the power for ignition, which is standard for a gas hob at this level.
At its core, performance on the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is built around four gas burners with three different sizes. This gives you flexibility to match pan sizes and cooking tasks, from a low-power burner that’s ideal for delicate sauces up to the ultra-rapid burner designed for woks and large pots.
The ultra-rapid wok burner is the clear star. With up to 3.3 kW of power, it delivers the kind of fierce heat you need for proper stir-frying, fast boiling and high-heat searing. It’s also handy when you’re batch cooking or entertaining and need larger pots on the go.
Automatic ignition across all burners makes starting up quick and reliable. There’s no separate spark button – you simply turn the knob and the burner lights, which is much more convenient when you’re managing several pans at once.
Safety has been well considered. The flame failure device monitors each burner and shuts off the gas if the flame is extinguished, for example by a spill or a gust of air. Automatic safety shut-off adds an extra safeguard, which is reassuring in family kitchens or shared homes.
While you won’t find extras like touch controls, timers or smart connectivity here, what you do get is a robust, traditional gas hob with the key performance and safety features covered, wrapped in a distinctive Victoria design that stands out from plainer alternatives.
As a Smeg Victoria model, this hob sits in the premium rather than budget camp of 60cm gas hobs. You’re paying a clear uplift over basic models, and that cost reflects the brand name, Italian manufacture, styling and more substantial build quality.
In terms of features, it doesn’t try to compete with high-tech glass or induction hobs, but within the gas category it offers a good mix: a powerful wok burner, cast iron supports, flame failure safety and automatic ignition all come as standard. Many cheaper hobs offer similar essentials, but often with less impressive materials and design.
The strong user rating of 4.8 out of 5 and solid number of reviews support the idea that most buyers feel they have got their money’s worth. If you value design, want to match other Smeg Victoria appliances, or simply prefer investing once in something that looks and feels premium, the price will seem justified.
If, however, you’re purely focused on function for the lowest possible outlay, you can achieve similar cooking performance from more affordable brands – you’d just be sacrificing the styling and Smeg badge. Overall, it represents good value for design-conscious buyers rather than bargain hunters.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH 60cm gas hob is a stylish, well-built option for anyone who wants traditional gas cooking with a more premium, retro-inspired look. The powerful wok burner, solid cast iron pan supports and simple rotary controls combine to deliver reliable performance for everyday family meals and more adventurous weekend cooking.
It isn’t the cheapest four-burner hob, and it doesn’t chase advanced digital features, timers or smart functions. What you’re largely paying for is the design, brand reputation and reassuring build quality, plus a sensible suite of safety features.
If you’re updating a kitchen, especially in a classic or farmhouse style, and want a gas hob that looks the part while remaining easy to live with, this Smeg is a very strong contender. Those on a strict budget or wanting extra tech features may prefer to look elsewhere, but for style-led buyers who love to cook, it’s an excellent choice.