A method is provided for improving the performance of a silver-based epoxidation catalyst comprising a carrier. The carrier includes at least 80 percent alpha alumina and has a pore volume from 0.3 mL/g to 1.2 mL/g, a surface area from 0.3 m2/g to 3.0 m2/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 mdarcys or greater. A catalytic amount of silver and a promoting amount of one or more promoters is disposed on and/or in said 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 of about 200° C. to about 230° C., and subsequently increasing the temperature either stepwise or continuously.