A method for firing a green honeycomb ceramic body including heating the green honeycomb ceramic body from room temperature to a first temperature of about 300° C. The green honeycomb ceramic body is then heated from the first temperature to a second temperature of greater than or equal to about 800° C. at a heating rate of greater than or equal to about 90° C./hr. The green honeycomb ceramic body may have a diameter of from greater than or equal to about 4.0 inches to less than or equal to about 9.0 inches, and it may include a carbon-based pore former in a concentration of from greater than or equal to about 10% to less than or equal to about 45% by weight.