Partners' Capital (Distributions Paid) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	$ 39,935	$ 39,907
Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	40,343	40,314
Public Common Unitholders [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	26,498	26,470
Ferrell Companies [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	10,735	10,735
FCI Trading Corp. [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	98	98
Ferrell Propane, Inc. [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	26	26
James E. Ferrell [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	2,179	2,179
General Partner [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	399	399
General Partner [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	408	407
Ferrellgas Partners [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Distributions	$ 39,935	$ 39,907