The side vent should be fine but you may be positioning the smoker often so the wind doesn't blow into the smoker. The top vent is more forgiving with wind and putting the hole on top towards the left rear corner is opposite the heating element, keeping drips off of food very well.Bear, top left is my plan. I’ve also read where it may be better to have the vent on a vertical plane, like the upper rear left side or back panel. Something about condensation and dripping occurring if mounted on top. Your thoughts?