A fuel cell device having an exterior surface defining an interior ceramic support structure. An active zone is along an intermediate portion of the length for undergoing a fuel cell reaction, and opposing non-active end regions are along end portions extending away from the active zone without being heated. Fuel and oxidizer passages extend within the interior support structure from respective first and second inlets in respective ones of the opposing non-active end regions. The active zone has an anode associated with each of the fuel passages and a cathode associated with each of the oxidizer passages in opposing relation to a respective one of the anodes with an electrolyte therebetween. The opposing non-active end regions lack the anode and cathode in opposing relation so as to be incapable of undergoing a fuel cell reaction.