Is it practical/desirable to use it for steering?

Yes, it is.

Unfortunately it is very awkward to adjust the throttles separately in
a sim, so I've never tried this type of steering.


Hmmm. Let me guess ... you don't have a full throttle quadrant in addition
to your yoke and rudder pedals (hopefully with brakes).

Without all of that/those, I don't see how you hope to simulate any
particular type of aircraft.