Partners' Capital (Ferrellgas Paid Cash Distributions) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions		$ 147,785	$ 141,721
Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions		275,560	193,780
Public Common Unitholders [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	104,192	94,188	89,001
Ferrell Companies [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	41,550	40,160	40,160
FCI Trading Corp. [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	392	392	392
Ferrell Propane, Inc. [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	104	104	104
James E. Ferrell [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	8,717	8,708	8,708
General Partner [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	1,565	1,450	1,398
General Partner [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	1,757	2,783	1,958
Ferrellgas Partners [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	172,218	272,777	191,822
Total Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. Partners' Capital [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions		$ 145,002	$ 139,763