I guess they add on the times needed to build and release pressu

The electric pressure cooker is a really good addition to my kitchen.  I do use it a lot.

One more thing to watch is always to place the seal at correct place before covering the cooker (at least on mine).  If not done well, air could leak and it could take a lot of time to build the pressre to the pregrammed level.  During that time, it makes a lot of noise as the old pressure cooker does.