The Russian stove[1] (Russian: русская печь) is a type of masonry stove that first appeared in the 15th century or earlier.[2] These stoves combine the functions of a traditional stove, oven, and fireplace into a single unit, and serve a broad range of purposes, including cooking (boiling, baking, and smoking), drying plants and mushrooms, providing interior heating and ventilation, bathing, and providing a warm place to sleep (many units include a sleeping berth atop the stove).[3] They can be found in traditional Russian, Ukrainian, Romanian, and Belarusian households.[3] Such stoves burn only firewood. [3][4]