Partners' Capital (Partners Distribution Paid) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012		Jan. 31, 2011		Jan. 31, 2012		Jan. 31, 2011
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions					$ 77,601		$ 71,743
Common unit and general partner distributions paid	38,371		35,771		76,738		70,896
Equity interest in subsidiaries common units					100.00%
Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	46,692		48,334		85,450		83,818
Equity interest in subsidiaries common units					100.00%
Public Common Unitholders [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Common unit and general partner distributions paid	25,644		23,073		51,284		45,506
Ferrell Companies [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Common unit and general partner distributions paid	10,040	[1]	10,040	[1]	20,080	[1]	20,080	[1]
Equity interest in subsidiaries common units					27.00%
FCI Trading Corp. [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Common unit and general partner distributions paid	98	[2]	98	[2]	196	[2]	196	[2]
Ferrell Propane, Inc. [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Common unit and general partner distributions paid	26	[3]	25	[3]	52	[3]	51	[3]
James E. Ferrell [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Common unit and general partner distributions paid	2,179	[4]	2,177	[4]	4,358	[4]	4,354	[4]
General Partner [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Common unit and general partner distributions paid	384		358		768		709
General Partner [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	472		488		863		847
Ferrellgas Partners [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	$ 46,220		$ 47,846		$ 84,587		$ 82,971

[1] Ferrell Companies is the owner of the general partner and a 27% direct owner of Ferrellgas Partner's common units and thus a related party.

[2] FCI Trading Corp. ("FCI Trading") is an affiliate of the general partner and thus a related party.

[3] Ferrell Propane, Inc. ("Ferrell Propane") is controlled by the general partner and thus a related party.

[4] James E. Ferrell is the Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the general partner and thus a related party.