香炉的演变，最早可追溯至春秋战国时代，当时已有烧炭取暖及烹煮食物的容器，称为“铜炉”。炉字，其义为盛火之器，最早见于《周礼 天官冢宰第一》的记载：“宫人掌王之六寝之修，为其井匽，除其不蠲，去其恶臭，共王之沐浴。
The evolution of incense burners can be traced back to the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. At that time, there were containers for burning charcoal for heating and cooking food, which were called "copper stoves". The inscription of the stove, which means the instrument for burning fire, was first recorded in the book "The First Official Tomb of Zhou Li Tian", which states that the six beds of the palace rulers are built for their well tablets, except that they do not stumble, go to their stench and bathe in the king's bathroom.
凡寝中之事，埽除、执烛、共炉炭，凡劳事。四方之舍事，亦如之。”炉炭，即为铜炉，香，则为室内薰香之用。燃香之器，名为薰炉。薰炉的材质多为陶制的豆形炉，所以在当时所使用的炉，还不能称为香炉。
Everything in bed, cutting, holding candles, burning charcoal, all labor. The same is true of the sacrifices made by all sides." The charcoal is the copper stove and the incense is the indoor aromatherapy. The incense burner is called the fumigator. The material of the fumigation furnace is mostly pottery beans, so the furnace used at that time can not be called incense furnace.