I've had the joy of teaching two adults to ride. In both cases they were riding in less than an hour. The technique you're using is essentially what I've done. The pedals are a bother initially, but I don't think removal is critical.

What you are doing is teaching your brain how to balance a moving bike. Your job is to persist, your brain does the rest. Don't over think it.

Learning to stop with handbrakes inspires confidence to keep persisting. Do figure eights while Fred Flinstoning. Continue until comfortable. Then move to gliding as far as possible. Slight downhill is great. Challenge yourself to glide further. The point of frustration is a critical learning moment - push through it. Keep using brakes to stop. If frustration turns to anger, take a break. When you can glide ten or twenty feet, try pedaling a bit. Persist.

Cheers!