Among the first stoves developed in America, the box stove was initially seen during the revolutionary war and used to heat the colonist soldiers. Heating school, churches and meetinghouses, the box stove also found significant residential use in utility rooms and workshops, kitchens and bathrooms. Early box stoves feature a Federal motif depicting stripes, stripes and other patriotic images.

Victorian styled stoves have floral designs featuring birds and scroll work and what not. And they were often placed in bedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms, and other areas the people often occupied. More recent box stoves come in modern styles in their square and simple design. All box stoves load from the side and are based on a six-plate design meaning that there are four pieces that construct the sides and two on the top and bottom that makes six.