Aging on used, charred barrel piece

[TastyAdventure]

I got a strip of a barrel bow from a friend, and the inside has been charred. Black flakes easily come off, obviously don't want to put beer on top of it in it's current state.
It has been in a hot garage for awhile, kinda dried up, no bourbon smell left.
What should I do this thing before I rack beer onto it? Should I use it at all?

 

[Cyclman]

Soak it in some bourbon?

 

[gravityspiral]

Yeah. I'd soak it in some bourbon, brush whatever will come off with a toothbrush, put it back in the bourbon for a while, and you're good to go