Debt Debt (Components of Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Notes payable	$ 9,836	$ 10,898
Total long-term debt	1,154,094	1,110,031
Less: current portion	3,183	3,091
Long-term debt	1,150,911	1,106,940
Short-term borrowings	67,045	50,054
Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Notes payable	9,836	10,898
Total long-term debt	972,094	928,031
Less: current portion	3,183	3,091
Long-term debt	968,911	924,940
Short-term borrowings	67,045	50,054
Fixed Rate, 6.50%, Due 2021 [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	500,000	500,000
Debt interest rate	6.50%
Debt maturity year	2021
Fixed Rate, 6.50%, Due 2021 [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	500,000	500,000
Debt interest rate	6.50%
Debt maturity year	2021
Fixed Rate, 6.75%, Due 2022 [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	325,000
Debt interest rate	6.75%
Debt maturity year	2022
Fixed Rate, 6.75%, Due 2022 [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	325,000
Debt interest rate	6.75%
Debt maturity year	2022
Fixed Rate, 9.125%, Due 2017 [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes		297,444
Debt interest rate	9.125%
Debt maturity year	2017
Debt instrument unamortized discount		2,556
Fixed Rate, 9.125%, Due 2017 [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes		297,444
Debt interest rate	9.125%
Debt maturity year	2017
Debt instrument unamortized discount		2,556
Fixed Rate, 8.625%, Due 2020 [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	182,000	182,000
Debt interest rate	8.625%
Debt maturity year	2020
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	(3,197)	(1,657)
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	(3,197)	(1,657)
Secured Credit Facility [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Line of credit facility	140,455	121,346
Debt maturity year	2018
Short-term borrowings	67,045	50,054
Debt weighted average interest rate	3.40%	3.70%
Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Line of credit facility	140,455	121,346
Debt maturity year	2018
Short-term borrowings	67,045	50,054
Debt weighted average interest rate	3.40%	3.70%
Notes Payable [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument maturity year range start	2014
Debt instrument maturity year range end	2022
Debt instrument unamortized discount	2,176	2,392
Debt weighted average interest rate	9.00%	9.10%
Notes Payable [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument maturity year range start	2014
Debt instrument maturity year range end	2022
Debt instrument unamortized discount	$ 2,176	$ 2,392
Debt weighted average interest rate	9.00%	9.10%