The reduction and operation of Ni-YSZ anode-supported tubular cells on methane fuel is described. Cells were reduced on pure methane from 650 degrees C to 850 degrees C, varying reduction time and methane flow rate. The effect on electrochemical performance with methane fuel was then investigated at 850 degrees C after which temperature-programmed oxidation (TPO) was employed to measure carbon deposition. Results showed that carbon deposition was minimized after certain reduction conditions. The conclusion was that 30 min reduction at 650 degrees C with 10 ml min(-1) methane reduction flow rate led to the highest current output over 1.2 A cm(-2) at 0.5 V when the cell operated at 850 degrees C between 10 ml min(-1) and 12.5 ml min(-1) methane running flow rate. From these results, it is evident that solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) performance can be substantially improved by optimising preparation, reduction and operating conditions without the need for hydrogen. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.