An exemplary method of making a fuel cell device assemblies includes the steps of: (i) providing a ceramic batch; (ii) extruding the ceramic batch through a die and a mask to form green extrudate that, in cross-section, has at least 10 cells/in2 and wall thickness of 50 mils or less; (iii) cutting the green extrudate to an appropriate length to form a green frame blank; (iv) sintering the green frame blank at a temperature of at least 1200° C., preferably at a temperature of between 1400° C. and 1600° C. for at least one hour to form a ceramic frame with a plurality of parallel channels; (v) inserting at least one fuel cell array into its designated position within the ceramic frame; and (vi) sealing the at least one fuel cell array to the frame.