The purpose of the work is to clarify the data on temperature changes on the horizon of the air tuyeres of blast furnaces. The limitations associated with the implementation of the well-known concept of axial movement of blast furnaces in terms of temperature stabilization in the coke nozzle blast furnace are considered. Based on the comparison of the results of studies on the temperature distribution of coke and its fractional composition at level of air tuyeres, it is shown that on blast furnaces equipped with coneless filling devices and coal dust blowing units, the critical zone in the distribution of temperatures and their fluctuations in time is the intermediate zone between "bird's nest" and the center of the furnace. A temporary, but sufficiently long-term decrease in the temperature of coke to 1000 °C in the intermediate zone of modern blast furnaces is not accompanied by the danger of toterman formation, which is facilitated by the existence of an axial coke vent — a kind of heated core of the coke nozzle and sufficient thermal inertia of the furnace. It has been established that the increase in blowing costs affects distribution of coke temperatures on the horizon of air tuyeres in a similar way to the tendency of the hot strength of coke to deteriorate — the temperatures in the intermediate zone of the coke nozzle decrease. It is recommended to take into account the change in the quality of the loaded coke when choosing dimensions of the coke vent in the center of the furnace and the degree of forcing its course by blowing. In the conditions of using pulverized coal fuel, when working on coke of average quality, the most acceptable mode of organization of the radial gas flow is peripheral-axial with an advantage in the development of axial over peripheral. Despite some conventionality of the examples discussed in the article, it can be argued that a long axial stroke without stroke disturbances can be realized only if the intensity of the peripheral gas flow is maintained for specific conditions. That is, in an ideal form, axial movement of blast furnace melting is practically impossible.