The occurrence of excessive maximum temperatures is presently the main obstacle in the design of counter current reactors for the autothermal coupling of endothermic and exothermic reactions. The reasons for the appearance of these high-temperature maxima are elucidated and discussed using a simplified reactor model. Based on it, measures are derived of how the maximum temperature can be reduced and the thermal efficiency of the integrated reactor can be improved. Simple formula and an efficient graphical procedure for a short-cut reactor design are provided. The results of the simplified design procedure have been verified through simulation with a more detailed reactor model.