The main problems of small-scale solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) devices are the rapid start-up, durability and operation on available fuels such as methane. This paper describes how microtubular anode-supported SOFCs can be started rapidly and run on methane. However, the key factor was the activity of the nickel anode, especially its surface area and conductivity, which were found to depend on the reduction method and the operating fuel. Controlled reduction experiments in hydrogen at temperatures between 650 and 850 degrees C were performed. Reduction temperature and gas composition were altered and the resultant electrical performance and exhaust gases recorded. The conclusion was that microtubular SOFC can be successfully run on methane to outperform pure hydrogen by up to 9%. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.