Income Taxes (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2009
Deferred tax expense (benefit)	$ 751	$ 439	$ 388
Deferred tax asset	992	1,030
Ferrellgas Finance Corp. [Member]
Deferred tax expense (benefit)	(10,549)
Valuation allowance provided for deferred tax asset	10,549
Net operating loss carryforward	27,119
Net operating loss carryforward, expiration date	July 31, 2030
Net deferred tax benefit	0	0	0
Deferred tax asset	0	0
Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. [Member]
Deferred tax expense (benefit)	(2,416)
Valuation allowance provided for deferred tax asset	2,416
Net operating loss carryforward	6,210
Net operating loss carryforward, expiration date	July 31, 2030
Net deferred tax benefit	0	0	0
Deferred tax asset	$ 0	$ 0