Hello,

We moved into a house with a fitted Hotpoint oven, I can't remember
the model number apart from the fact it's obsolete but I imagine most
ovens are the same in this regard. The oven has panels on the sides
and back, with thumb screws holding these panels on. I have unscrewed
the side panels and removed them from the oven for cleaning but I am
having problems removing the rear panel.

The rear panel has two screws: one either side. I am trying to unscrew
these. the nuts rotate but never actually come off. I presume the
whole nut and bolt are rotating as one. Perhaps they are so gunged up,
the grease has "welded" them together! Perhaps the previous house
owners never cleaned it!

Can anyone offer any suggestions how to remove this plate?

The fan is behind this plate; I presume there is an element also? Will
anything dangerous be exposed when I remove the plate? Power off
first!

The fan looks absolutely filthy. Do I leave that as it is, or should I
remove that and give that a good clean too?

Thanks.