Partners' Capital (Ferrellgas Paid Cash Distributions) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	$ 159,682	$ 156,520	$ 145,002
Public Common Unitholders [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	105,934	104,192	94,188
Ferrell Companies [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	42,939	41,550	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	8,717	8,708
General Partner [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	1,596	1,565	1,450
General Partner [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	1,790	1,757	2,783
Ferrellgas Partners [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	$ 175,380	$ 172,218	$ 272,777