A process for improved performance in a fuel cell or stack of fuel cells wherein the fuel cell has a cathode, an anode, an anode chamber, a cathode chamber, a fuel comprising an anolyte that flows through an inlet (14), the cell and an outlet (15), and a catholyte gas, wwherein each electrode comprises a catalyst (12) and a gas diffusion backing (13), and wherein the fuel cell is connected to an external load, which process comprises taking the load off the cell, and cycling between a minimum voltage and about 50% of the maximum voltage drawn from the fuel cell until a maximum current is reached, or a minimum load and about 50% of the maximum load until a maximum voltage is reached. Fuel cell performance is further enhanced by purging.