The Steam pressure 2 programme is the basis for some other programmes - but with certain standard time settings etc. This makes it somewhat more convenient to use. (If I only have to select the RICE programme, it is easier than if I select steam pressure 2 and then have to check which time I have to pre-select for rice). Programme D2 alone is not superfluous. It is used in many recipes (see recipe book), so it certainly has its place. But how you use the programmes or the manual settings is ultimately up to the cook. You don't have to use all the programmes - some people will never make yoghurt or cook sous vide, while others do it very often. In any case, we hope you enjoy using MeinHans!