Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 10,842	$ 15,139
Accounts receivable	13,939	13,591
Inventories	12,917	26,188
Prepaid expenses	900	2,148
Other current assets	3,500	421
Total current assets	42,098	57,487
Property, plant and equipment, net	216,073	235,888
Debt issuance costs, net	1,990	2,763
Other assets	3,008	3,448
Total assets	263,169	299,586
Liabilities and equity
Accounts payable	13,085	9,380
Current portion of long-term debt	170,531	12,710
Current portion of tax increment financing	385	370
Other current liabilities	2,523	1,992
Total current liabilities	186,524	24,452
Long-term debt, net of current portion	2,708	166,937
Tax increment financing, net of current portion	4,573	4,867
Other non-current liabilities	3,138	3,388
Total liabilities	196,943	199,644
Commitments and contingencies
Equity
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized and no shares outstanding at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011	0	0
Common stock value	54	53
Less common stock held in treasury, at cost, 40,481 shares at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011	(4,316)	(4,316)
Additional paid-in capital	189,233	187,841
Accumulated deficit	(119,097)	(89,277)
Total BioFuel Energy Corp. stockholders' equity	65,882	94,310
Noncontrolling interest	344	5,632
Total equity	66,226	99,942
Total liabilities and equity	263,169	299,586
Common Class B [Member]
Equity
Common stock value	$ 8	$ 9