Nah, I too just use whatever version of android is already installed onto the device. I would use custom versions of android or more preferably, Linux distros, but the biggest issue for me, is the fact that the only way to install a custom OS is to use a rom that's made specifically for that device. You can't just download a "one size fits all" rom and install it onto your device. As a result of this, most of my devices don't have a custom OS available at all, and the ones that do, the OSs haven't been updated in several years.

I also haven't used any advanced methods for removing apps I don't want. I've never used anything like root or ADB, as I'm just worried about potentially bricking the devices I own.