A method is provided for improving the performance of a silver-based epoxidation catalyst comprising a carrier. The carrier includes at least 80% of alpha alumina and has a pore volume from 0.3 mL/g to 1.2 mL/g, a surface area from 0.3 m<2>/g to 3.0 m<2>/g, and a pore architecture that provides at least one of a tortuosity of 7 or less, a constriction of 4 or less and a permeability of 30 mdarcysor greater. A catalytic amount of silver and a promoting amount of one or more promoters are disposed on and/or in the carrier. The method further includes the steps of initiating an epoxidation reaction by reacting a feed gas composition containing ethylene and oxygen present in a ratio of from about 3.5:1 to about 12:1, in the presence of the silver-based epoxidation catalyst at a temperature ofabout 200 DEG C to about 230 DEG C, and subsequently increasing the temperature either stepwise or continuously.