You can make a simple igniter using a single strand of copper wire from a stranded cord (like a lamp cord) and looping it over the head of a paper match. Mate your thin wire to thicker wires near the match head, of course. Steel wire would work as well -- just find something thin. I think the nichrome in a toaster would be too thick for low amperages. Might even work with a few strands of thin steel wool. Then you need a nice piece of steel pipe and a few cups of... oh wait... what were we making?
Ahh, brings back memories ]