If shopping in Aliexpress, nichrome wire 1.5mm diameter(note 14AWG = 1.63mm) x 1m(length) can be had for less than about $3 shipped!(to Korea, likely a bit more to other regions) So several lengths could be made for the power/current of interest. A liter(or more which is likely necessary) of mineral oil costs more of course. But this would indeed be a very inexpensive method to make a dummy load.
I found a handy online nichrome calculator(in metric) for determining one's own lengths based on different diameter of wire:
https://calculator.academy/nichrome-...ce-calculator/
14 x 2 ohm 100 watt resistors from Aliexpress could be had for under $14 shipped!(to Korea) As I would consider these consumables for testing a few times only, I could accept cheap resistors(branded ones like ARCOL cost like $10 EACH locally so not considering them). A good sized multi-fin aluminum heatsink/radiator would also have to be thoroughly considered for thermal dissipation capacity and price, which will not be cheap either(though I have an oversized aluminum oven pan which would work, LOL). But I definitely see this option's appeal for ease of varying the load in a compact package.
I'll have to think about these 2 attractive methods a bit more... shop around for better sources of the pricier materials.
Cheers...