The nonlinear stability of three-dimensional reaction-diffusion fronts in vertical cylinders is considered using the viscous hydrodynamic fluid equations in the limit of infinite thermal diffusivity. A nonlinear front evolution equation is presented and used to examine the transition from nonaxisymmetric to axisymmetric convection observed in experiments performed in cylinders. Comparisons with experiments show excellent agreement in both the shape and speed of the front. © 1997 The American Physical Society.