Some people prefer to scrape out the middle of the vanilla pod before adding but this is where much of the flavor resides, so it’s not recommended.
You can leave the pods in for as long as you wish to allow the vanilla to infuse through the vodka but it should be ready to use within the first week of infusing.
If you don’t want to throw out the pods, then you can leave them in the vodka but after a fair while they may get a bit tacky and start disintegrating (this is in the range of many months later).
Vanilla vodka is excellent used in dessert dishes as well as in drinks.
