Remove Esp8266 from NodeMCU board
During prototyping a pcb containing an esp32 I had the need to desolder the esp sometimes. For the reasons you mentioned this is very tricky bit I figured out two strategies that worked well for me:


method: if you have a third hand and a second solder iron, you can bend a massive copper wire to fit the esp's outline so that it has contact to all of the esp's pins. You then apply a huge amount of solder along the wire. This way you are able to melt all solder joints (which works better if you have two strong irons) and finally remove the esp.
method: put the nodemcu into an oven at 250°C (solder probably melts at around 220°C) and wait until the solderjoints melt. Then carefully (!) remove the esp. Of course, all other solder joints will be liquid, so you must not grab the esp by its shielding, neither you should drop the nodemcu!
Afterwards wait until the remaining board has cooled down.


I think, in both cases (and also when using hot air) you are out of the specs concerning the solder process (max temperature, max duration), but as you will be using the result for private purposes only and the device will not be running 24-7, this will be acceptable.