Abstract: A reclaimer system is provided for collecting and recycling a viscous coating batter in a foods processing line, particularly such as in a production line for making batter coated French fry potato strips. The reclaimer system comprises an elongated collection trough mounted at the downstream end of a product conveyor used to transport batter coated food products to a fryer, wherein the conveyor is positioned to collect excess batter dripping from the conveyor and the food products and further wherein this excess batter would otherwise undesirably fall into the fryer. A paddle is reciprocated back and forth within the trough to sweep collected batter therein from opposite open ends of the trough into appropriate collection vessels or funnels for recycling. The trough is water cooled to prevent significant cooking of the batter therein, and the paddle includes a central overflow port to permit large quantities of batter to spill therethrough without being swept over the longitudinal edges of the trough.