A foot stove consists of a wooden box which is open on one side, with holes or a slab at the top. In it, a bowl made of pottery or metal with burning charcoal was placed. The feet were positioned on top of the stove to become warm. By putting a blanket or clothing on the legs, the heat could be isolated, and the lower legs were heated.

Foot stoves were used in Northern Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States.