Abstract: A method of removing graphite from a core region of a cordierite-forming green body and a method of firing a cordierite-forming green body to form a fired cordierite body. A dried cordierite-forming green body containing graphite is first heated so that the core region is at a first temperature in a range from about 950° C. up to about 1100° C. The green body is then either held at the first temperature or heated to a second temperature in a range from about 1050° C. up to about 1160° C.; in either case resulting in removal of a majority of graphite from the core region. The green body may then be heated to a third temperature in a range from about 1300° C. up to about 1350° C. at a second predetermined heating rate to remove any residual graphite from the core region and then heated to a temperature of at least 1390° C. to form the fired cordierite body.