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Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
12 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2011
Jul. 31, 2010
Jul. 31, 2009
Number of subsidiaries 2    
Approximate number of customers in 50 states 1,000,000    
Number of states in which operating partnership serves 50    
General partner interest in the operating partnership 1.00%    
Intangible assets useful lives minimum years 2    
Intangible assets useful lives maximum years 15    
Revenue recognized over a straight-line basis, years 1    
Non-cash compensation charges $ 13,488,000 $ 7,831,000 $ 2,312,000
Ferrellgas, L.P. And Subsidiaries [Member] | Consolidated Subsidiary [Member]
     
Consolidated subsidiary accounts receivable pledged as collateral 107,900,000    
Consolidated subsidiary other asset 600,000    
Consolidated subsidiary notes receivable derecognized 44,900,000    
Consolidated subsidiary retained interest derecognized 15,300,000    
Consolidated subsidiary cumulative effect change in accounting principle 1,300,000    
Notes payable to consolidated subsidiary 47,000,000    
Consolidated Subsidiary [Member]
     
Consolidated subsidiary accounts receivable pledged as collateral 107,900,000    
Consolidated subsidiary notes receivable derecognized 44,900,000    
Consolidated subsidiary retained interest derecognized 15,300,000    
Notes payable to consolidated subsidiary 47,000,000    
Consolidated Subsidiary [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
     
Consolidated subsidiary other asset 600,000    
Consolidated subsidiary cumulative effect change in accounting principle 1,300,000    
Ferrellgas, L.P. And Subsidiaries [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Incentive Compensation Plan [Member]
     
Options vesting period, years zero    
Vested options exercisable incremental period 10    
Minimum [Member] | Incentive Compensation Plan [Member]
     
Options vesting period, years zero    
Vested options exercisable incremental period 10    
Ferrellgas, L.P. And Subsidiaries [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Incentive Compensation Plan [Member]
     
Options vesting period, years 12    
Vested options exercisable incremental period 15    
Maximum [Member] | Incentive Compensation Plan [Member]
     
Options vesting period, years 12    
Vested options exercisable incremental period 15    
Ferrellgas, L.P. And Subsidiaries [Member] | Property, Plant And Equipment [Member]
     
Property, plant and equipment useful lives, minimum years 2    
Property, plant and equipment useful lives, maximum years 30    
Property, Plant And Equipment [Member]
     
Property, plant and equipment useful lives, minimum years 2    
Property, plant and equipment useful lives, maximum years 30    
Ferrellgas, L.P. And Subsidiaries [Member] | Unit Option Plan [Member]
     
Stock authorized during period shares employee stock ownership plan 1,350,000    
Options vesting period, years five    
Non-cash compensation charges 13,000 23,000 15,000
Common units acquired by grants of unit options 300,000    
General partner may acquire common units 314,895    
Unit Option Plan [Member]
     
Stock authorized during period shares employee stock ownership plan 1,350,000    
Options vesting period, years five    
Non-cash compensation charges 13,000 23,000 15,000
Common units acquired by grants of unit options 300,000    
General partner may acquire common units 314,895    
Ferrellgas, L.P. And Subsidiaries [Member] | Incentive Compensation Plan [Member]
     
Non-cash compensation charges 13,500,000 7,800,000 2,300,000
Number of shares authorized to be issued as options 9,250,000    
Stock option percent to vest upon event 100.00%    
Retirement age incentive compensation plan 65    
Incentive Compensation Plan [Member]
     
Non-cash compensation charges 13,500,000 7,800,000 2,300,000
Number of shares authorized to be issued as options 9,250,000    
Stock option percent to vest upon event 100.00%    
Retirement age incentive compensation plan 65    
Ferrellgas, L.P. And Subsidiaries [Member]
     
Approximate number of customers in 50 states 1,000,000    
Number of states in which operating partnership serves 50    
General partner interest in the operating partnership 1.00%    
Intangible assets useful lives minimum years 2    
Intangible assets useful lives maximum years 15    
Revenue recognized over a straight-line basis, years 1    
Non-cash compensation charges $ 13,488,000 $ 7,831,000 $ 2,312,000