Partners' Capital (Ferrellgas Paid Cash Distributions) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	$ 40,314	$ 38,758
Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	40,314	38,758
Public Common Unitholders [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	26,470	25,640
Ferrell Companies [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	10,735	10,040
FCI Trading Corp. [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	98	98
Ferrell Propane, Inc. [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	26	26
James E. Ferrell [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	2,179	2,179
General Partner [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	399	384
General Partner [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	407	391
Ferrellgas Partners [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	39,907	38,367
Total Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. Partners' Capital [Member] | Public Common Unitholders [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	$ 39,907	$ 38,367