Adding Vanilla Bean to Secondary

[jra173]

I have a breakfast stout that is currently in primary and I am planning to add some bourbon soaked vanilla beans to secondary. I picked up two whole vanilla bean pods and saw that they need to be chopped into 1" pieces. My question pertains to the # of pods i should use. Should i use one or both?

 

[ColoHox]

Start with one, you can always add more later. After cutting them into pieces, slice them in half lengthwise to expose the fragrant bits in the middle.

 

[jra173]

would you slice them and leave the soaking in the bourbon or leave them as is and slice just prior to adding to secondary?

 

[ColoHox]

I slice them, then add everything to bourbon to soak for a bit. After a few days, everything gets dumped in.