A ceramic fuel processor (10) including a solid oxide fuel cell (32) provides a high power output while maintaining a small size and minimizing heating issues. A fuel reformer (14) comprising a reaction zone (18) including a reforming catalyst. A heat source (28) is thermally coupled to the reaction zone for providing heat thereto. An inlet channel (20) conducts liquid fuel to the reaction zone, and an outlet channel (22) conducts hydrogen enriched gas from the reaction zone to the solid oxide fuel cell.