Partners' Capital (Ferrellgas Paid Cash Distributions) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2012
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions			$ 80,708
Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	48,243	46,692	88,557	85,450
Public Common Unitholders [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	26,470	25,644	52,940	51,284
Ferrell Companies [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	10,735	10,040	21,470	20,080
FCI Trading Corp. [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	98	98	196	196
Ferrell Propane, Inc. [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	26	26	52	52
James E. Ferrell [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	2,179	2,179	4,358	4,358
General Partner [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	399	384	798	768
General Partner [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	487	472	894	863
Ferrellgas Partners [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	47,756	46,220	87,663	84,587
Total Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. Partners' Capital [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	$ 39,907	$ 38,371	$ 79,814	$ 76,738