First, create an equipment profile in the "Equipment" database view - (Equipment on the View menu). Give it a unique name.
Next, you can make that profile your default for new recipes by opening a blank recipe, choosing that equipment profile, and then selecting the "Save Recipe as Default" command on the "Actions" menu.
In fact, you can set any of the fields in a recipe and then save them as the default using this method. Anytime you chance your equipment profile or other profiles you need to perform this command again, however, since a copy is stored as the default recipe.
Now, the next time you open a new recipe, it will use the defaults you have just set.
Cheers!
Brad