Awww, that side thermometer is sweet! Pretty kettle, too. I just have a black 1990 22 showing some sun bleaching.
There are many ways to arrange heat and food in a kettle for smoking. I learned the basics on a little 18-inch, just direct over a fire of maple. I controlled the air flow by the top vent, and apparently I'm the only person in the world who does that. If I took the lid off I'd have a campfire in about 30 seconds.