Servicing JS26 Push Mower

Well after around 6 uses with my new lawn mower, the time has come to store it. I washed it all up yesterday and today I'm going to go buy some Amsoil SAE30 oil and do an oil change. In the service manual it tells you to remove the dipstick, and place the mower on its side to dump out the oil, this to me does not make sense. ON the bottom of the engine there what looks like a drain plug for the engine, would this not be the better way to empty? As well do I just top the fuel up over the winter or drain? It does have that gas drip stabilizer in the gas cap. Oh yeah buying a JD hoodie today, :lol:

Thanks