Transactions With Related Parties (Allocation Of Transactions With Related Parties) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
General and administrative expense	$ 11,236,000	$ 18,947,000	$ 22,350,000	$ 30,211,000
Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
General and administrative expense	11,236,000	18,947,000	22,350,000	30,211,000
Compensation And Benefits [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Operating expense	53,964,000	58,504,000	103,311,000	108,515,000
General and administrative expense	6,689,000	5,709,000	12,706,000	12,172,000
Compensation And Benefits [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Operating expense	53,964,000	58,504,000	103,311,000	108,515,000
General and administrative expense	$ 6,689,000	$ 5,709,000	$ 12,706,000	$ 12,172,000