Iron/Metallic Flavor?!

[J_Flint]

Was your fermenter new? Or was there any new stainless hardware in the loop?
I got several stainless flow control ball lock QDs a few months ago, and like an idiot, I just rinsed them and attached to my kegs. Tasted metallic right away.
Lesson learned: thoroughly clean any new stainless equipment.
Oils and residue from the manufacturing process can stay on Stainless hardware and make it into your beer if you don't clean them thoroughly with something stronger than hot water.

Just one more vector to consider. Like I said, it wasn't a big piece, just a ball-lock QD and it was enough to taint all the beer flowing through it.

All hardware was washed with scalding soapy water, then with Oxi-Clean and rinsed to the brink of insanity before first use.

 

[pdehaan]

I got the same problem. I changed the electric heating element in my keg. It is still tasting iron like. I suspect the miller rolls.

 

[Horseflesh]

I had a similar problem. It was corrosion inside a tap shank.

 

[Broothru]

I had a similar problem. It was corrosion inside a tap shank.

Corrosion probably wouldn't be the problem if it was all new gear. A "metallic" taste most likely comes from the fabrication process, either milling, shaping or (most likely) preservative lubricants. I had a similar experience with my first stainless steel fermenter. I cleaned it with Oxy Clear, rinsed all the pieces, and then proceeded to ruin my first batch! A closer reading of the owner's manual revealed their preferred method for cleaning before the first use of their equipment.

The recommendation included a soak of all metal surfaces and equipment that comes in contact with your liquids with TSP before the normal PBW wash and Star San treatment. Duh! RTFM. Worked fine after that. No further metallic tastes or aromas. Subsequent additions to the stainless equipment lineup (conical, unitank) all got their inaugural baths in TSP/Oxy/Star San with no dumpers. But as @Horseflesh pointed out the issue can be a very small component that causes you woes. A little machine oil (it's in there to prevent corrosion after manufacturing) inside some obscure fitting is enough to ruin your batch. I'd bet money that's what caused your issue.

Brooo Brother

 

[jschein]

I had the same issue as Brooothru. TSP, Oxi and Star-San did the trick for me