Food Blogger Lina From Hip2Save Shares Her Favorite Kitchen Tools

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lina smiling and cooking on her stove

Curious to know my top kitchen cooking tools I use most often?

Hi, I’m Lina, and I like to cook – a lot!

In fact, I’ve been cooking and sharing recipes on Hip2Save.com for over five years, and now on Hip2Keto.com, too. Being in the kitchen often is part of my job, and I’m regularly asked which kitchen items I use the most and feel are worth the investment.

copper cookware, knives, Silpat, and glass measuring cups

Being in the kitchen is my happy place!

I’m not actually professionally trained in the kitchen, but I DO enjoy cooking for my family and also taking yummy food pics! Today, I’m sharing some of my favorite must-have items that get lots of use in my kitchen. You may even recognize some as they often appear in my photography when I share recipe ideas.

P.S. It’s was tough only picking just 5 items to feature, but I honestly asked myself, “What would I be sad to live without?”


bagels on a silpat ready to go into the oven

(Photo of Keto Bagels recipe)

1.) Silpat Baking Mat

This was a brilliant Christmas gift given to me a few years ago, and I absolutely adore this silicone baking mat! It’s perfect for any type of dough, but it’s especially helpful for stickier types of dough and replaces the need for parchment paper. You can place it on a metal sheet pan, and food NEVER sticks to it while baking. I use my Silpat so often for baking cookies, Fat Head pizza, and even these keto bagels!

Hip Tip: Consider the AmazonBasics version of this mat. We recently tested it and found it to be a great substitute for the more expensive version.


henckels knives

2.) J.A. Henckels Knives

Having a set of good quality sharp knives is a must for any home chef! When I got married about 12 years ago, we used a bunch of gift cards to go in on a nice set of J.A. Henckels knives. I have literally used them every day since, and they’re still going strong! We did have a handle start to separate on one knife 3 years ago, but all I had to do was send it to J.A, Henckels, and they sent me back a replacement.

Read about this brand’s awesome lifetime warranty!


adding cheese to broccoli cheese soup(Photo of Keto Broccoli Cheddar Soup recipe

3.) Copper Chef Cookware

I was honestly a little skeptical to try Copper Chef Cookware as some reviews are mixed online, but it turns out that I LOVE this cookware! It’s non-stick (and without the awful coating that quickly flakes off of most non-stick pans). I like that it’s lightweight, can be thrown in the dishwasher, and cleans up easily. I have a few pieces, like this 9.5-inch set, but find myself grabbing the 11-inch skillet the most. It still looks brand new after 6 months of constant use!


adding batter from a glass measuring cup into a crumb crust(Photo of Blueberry Cheesecake Dessert recipe)

4.) Glass Batter Bowl with Spout

I use my large 8-cup batter bowl so much, and it’s by far my favorite all-purpose mixing bowl! I like that it’s glass so I can easily microwave recipes when needed, and it’s super convenient to pour using a handle. I know it’s funny to have a favorite item that’s so simple, but I misplaced it for a few weeks after we remodeled the kitchen, and I felt lost without it! HA!


air fryer chicken wings on a plate(Photo of keto Air Fryer Chicken Wings recipe)

5.) Air Fryer

The air fryer is my absolute favorite kitchen appliance right now because it’s so convenient! I love how quickly and easily it gives food a crispy and delicious texture, and it’s fun to cook with! I use it so often to make fast & simple chicken wings, vegetable side dishes, donuts, bacon, and so much more.

I personally own and LOVE the 3.4-quart Power XL as well as the 6-quart Nuwave air fryer!


Lina (lina@hip2BeHome.com) is an amazing content creator at Hip2BeHome! She loves cooking, thrift store shopping, and DIY projects.

Extreme Pantry Makeover: A Peek into Lina’s Pantry Remodel


About the writer:

Lina has a Bachelor's Degree from Northern Arizona University with 11 years of blogging and photography experience having work featured in Today.com, Martha Stewart, Country Living, Fox News, Buzzfeed, and HGTV.


Join The Discussion

Comments 2

  1. Claudia

    What is that cookie sheet/baking tray?

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Hi there – I use my silpat with this tray and highly recommend it! Love mine and have had it so many years 🙂 Sasa Demarle pan https://amzn.to/2XBpZQM

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